Wolves pipped at the post by Birmingham

The narrow defeat in front of a big crowd ended a six-match winning run, but they took a league point to maintain their record of collecting points from every meeting so far, writes Rich Jones.

Freddie Lindgren went through the card for a sublime six-ride maximum while Tai Woffinden dropped just one point – to Jason Doyle in heat 11 – from his five starts.

But Wolves' chances were dealt a blow when the battling Ty Proctor withdrew after aggravating a shoulder injury.

He lifted violently on the back straight in heat eight – somehow getting the bike down when looking certain to take a horror fall.

Ricky Wells – with his one telling contribution on the night – and Lindgren drew them back on level terms in heat 10.

And after the visitors fell six behind, Woffinden and Lindgren triumphed in heat 13 to set up a nervy finale – but Brummies reserves Nico Covatti and Martin Smolinski shot from the tapes to secure a home win.

Wolves needed at least a split final heat to get a league point, and it was no surprise to see Woffinden and Lindgren take a dominant 5-1.

But they lacked support with reserves Jacob Thorssell and Ludvig Lindgren – the latter a former Birmingham rider – both failing to score after heat two.

Freddie Lindgren was pleased with the point, saying: "We faced a lot of adversity, first with Adam Skornicki missing and then Ty Proctor having to withdraw after aggravating his injury.

"We had to work really hard, so to get a point away from home definitely isn't a bad result."

The two teams clash again at Monmore Green on Monday.

Birmingham: Martin Smolinski 14+3, Jason Doyle 9, Danny King 9, Ben Barker 6+1, Nico Covatti 3+2, Chris Harris 3, Josh Auty 2+2.

Wolves: Freddie Lindgren 16+2, Tai Woffinden 13+1, Ty Proctor 6, Ricky Wells 6, Ludvig Lindgren 2, Jacob Thorssell 1.

By Rich Jones