GUTSY Leicester dug deep to snatch a last gasp maximum and claim a consolation league point from their 47-43 defeat at Berwick on Saturday.
Ryan Douglas continued his sizzling run of form with a full 15-point maximum to help the Watling JCB Lions to what could prove to be a precious point.
Going into the final race with Stewart Dickson’s side eight-points down Douglas and the equally brilliant Nick Morris raced to a 5-1 for the second time in three heats.
Boss Dickson was pleased to secure a point but left Shielfield to head back to Leicester for Sunday’s return with some disappointment.
Said Dickson: "I think given the circumstances a point is a good result and there were positives to be taken from the meeting, especially Ryan and Nick.
“Before the meeting I felt Berwick were there for the taking but at no point tonight did I feel like we would win tonight as some of the guys were below their usual high standards."
Heat 12 was unquestionably the race of the night as the Bandits pair gated before Kyle Howarth rounded Leon Flint on lap one before heading off in hot pursuit of Jye Etheridge.
And despite throwing absolutely everything he had at the Australian the Leicester skipper was unable to find a way through as the Bandits edged eight ahead with three races to go.
The Douglas and Morris combination hit straight back with a 5-1 in Heat 13 but the Bandits secured the win on the night with a maximum score of their own in the penultimate race.
The sides meet again at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena, Beaumont Park, on Sunday at 4pm and tickets remain on sale via leicesterlions.seatedly.com with fans urged to snap theirs up before midday.
BERWICK 47: Dany Gappmaier 13+2, Leon Flint 10+1, Jye Etheridge 8+1, Nikolaj B Jakobsen 6+1, Kyle Bickley 5+3, Aaron Summers 5, Coty Garcia R/R.
LEICESTER 43: Nick Morris 15+2, Ryan Douglas 15, Kyle Howarth 7+1, Joe Thompson 3, Ty Proctor 2, Dan Thompson 1, Josh Bates R/R.
