Heathens scrape through in Knockout Cup

The Motor Market Heathens needed a last-heat decider to claim victory.

And they certainly made hard work of maintaining their 100 per cent home record on a frustrating night where the hosts threw plenty of points away.

The visitors stunned Cradley in the opening exchanges as they took advantages of spills from Ben Basford and Luke Chessell.

Former Heathens Nathan Greaves and Ellis Perks took two of the opening three victories as the guests helped the Hitmen to an early 13-5 advantage.

Heathens struck back with a 5-1 from the gate in heat four courtesy of Max Clegg and James Purchase before a nightmare run for the home side saw them fall further behind.

Both Chessell and debutant Layne Cupitt slid off when in comfortable second places either side of Ashley Morris suffering a blown engine while leading a 5-1 in heat six.

Heathens gradually chipped away at the Hitmen's advantage and three races in favour of the hosts pulled them back to within four.

However, Cupitt could have pulled them even closer had he not slid off when in third places in heats nine and eleven.

Trailing by four with 13 races gone, the Heathens required two heat advantages to secure victory.

Chessell and Purchase outgated their opponents and combined for a 5-1 in heat 14 to pull the scores level.

Race of the night fittingly came in heat 15 as the Heathens secured back-to-back maximums to edge through.

Max Clegg completed a fine unbeaten night from the gate while Morris hunted Greaves down and timed his move to perfection on the final two bends up the inside.

Heathens travel to Mildenhall in the National League on Sunday.

CRADLEY 46: Max Clegg 15, Ben Basford 9, Luke Chessell 8, James Purchase 7+2, Ashley Morris 7+1, Layne Cupitt 0, Jack Kingston R/R.

BUXTON 42: Nathan Greaves 11, Ellis Perks 9+1, Lee Geary 8+2, Ryan Burton 7+1, Shelby Rutherford 5+1, Chris Hay 2, Ryan Blacklock R/R.

Cradley win 90-86 on aggregate