LEICESTER captain Nicolai Klindt’s remarkable 21-point paid maximum was not quite enough to steer his side to a home win over Lakeside.
The Hammers snatched a 46-44 win over their depleted hosts at Beaumont Park thanks to a last-heat 4-2 from guest Craig Cook and skipper Andreas Jonsson.
The Lions were using rider-replacement for the unavailable Szymon Wozniak, with Paul Starke ruled out due to a family bereavement, with Klindt’s unbeaten seven rides keeping them in with a chance.
Lakeside co-promoter Jon Cook said: “The meeting was on a knife-edge throughout, so we were delighted to get over the line and get the win in the last race.
“Craig Cook was an absolutely superb guest for us, and with AJ he did the business in the last race which was superb.
“We weren't at our best, we perhaps had a win that was too easy last night, and we made hard work of it.”
Leicester boss Norrie Allan said: “After Lakeside turned us over quite badly the night before we owed our fans a performance at home and I was proud of how my riders responded.
“All things considered, to take the Hammers to a last heat decider was a major achievement. We still have much work to do to convert narrow near misses into wins but can take heart from how we applied ourselves tonight.”
Leicester 44 points: Patrick Hougaard 9+2, Josh Auty 6+2, Aaron Summers 5, Rider Replacement for Szymon Wozniak, Davey Watt 4, 6. Nicolai Klindt 20+1 and Chris Widman 0
Lakeside 46 points: Andreas Jonsson 9+1, Edward Kennett 5+1, Richard Lawson 9, Lewis Bridger 4+1, Craig Cook 11+1, Robert Mear 4 and Lewis Kerr 4+3
