CRADLEY staged a dramatic late fightback to snatch a 44-44 draw from the first leg of their Knockout Cup tie with Buxton at the D&P Raceway.
The Motor Market Heathens trailed throughout the meeting before top two Max Clegg and Ashley Morris struck vital 5-1s in heats 13 and 15 to take a share of the spoils.
Clegg was in imperious form throughout, striking a faultless 18-point maximum, whilst Morris recovered from a fall in his opening ride to partner him superbly in the closing stages.
With Ben Basford and Luke Chessell also battling to solid contributions and James Purchase winning heat two, it was an encouraging performance from the Heathens.
After suffering a heavy defeat at Eastbourne the previous evening, team boss Will Pottinger was delighted to emerge with their best away result of the season so far.
Having seized control of the tie, he is keen to see them book their place in the next round of the Knockout Cup with victory over the Hitmen in the second leg at Monmore Green on Monday, June 13 (7.30).
Pottinger said: “We managed to stay pretty close throughout, and I was always confident that with Ash (Morris) and Max (Clegg) in heats 13 and 15 we’d finish the meeting strongly.
“There were some good performances from the lads. Max was immaculate to end with a full maximum and Ash bounced back well from a crash in heat one.
“We were really pleased with Ben Basford’s performance as well, and Luke (Chessell) contributed with some solid points on a track which isn’t one of his favourites.
“We’re happy with the draw, it puts us in a great position ahead of the second leg at Monmore Green in a couple of weeks where we’ll be looking to get the job done and reach the next round.”
The Heathens will be back in National League action as they take on King’s Lynn at the Adrian Flux Arena on Wednesday, June 8 before returning to Monmore Green the following Monday for the second leg of their cup tie with Buxton.
BUXTON 44: Ryan Blacklock 11, Oliver Greenwood 9, Jade Mudgway 8, Ryan Burton 6+1, Shelby Rutherford 5+3, Lee Geary 5+2, Steve Jones 0.
CRADLEY 44: Max Clegg 18, Ashley Morris 9+2, Ben Basford 7+1, Luke Chessell 6+1, James Purchase 3, Bradley Andrews 1, Jack Kingston r/r.
