CRADLEY kept their play-off hopes alive with a dramatic 45-44 win at the Isle of Wight.

And boss Will Pottinger admitted he thought they had thrown the meeting away until star men Ashley Morris and Max Clegg notched a last gasp 5-1.

The Motor Market side were 43-40 down after letting a useful lead slip but the Heat 15 result secured their second away win of the season.

Said Pottinger: "You never know how important those three points will be.

"It was our second straight away win and we needed it, it was most welcome.

"We could easily have lost it but we saved our best until last and it was a huge relief to come away with three precious points."

When it came to the crunch Morris made a fine start to the decider to lead home favourite James Cockle.

Heathens needed the 5-1 and the travelling fans went wild as Clegg dived underneath Cockle coming out of the fourth turn to join his partner for the win.

The Warriors were hit by the loss of ex-Heathens racer Tyler Govier after a crash in his opening heat.

And when George Piper crashed in the re-run it handed Bradley Andrews and Ben Basford a gift 5-0 to hand the Heathens a handy early lead.

But when Warriors No.1 Mark Baseby clocked the fastest time of the season in Heat 6 the island side were edging back towards the Heathens.

Heathens needed a big response in Heat 13 - but Max Clegg stopped on the start with carburettor problems and it looked like it wasn't Cradley's night.

Isle of Wight led by three going into the last race and the Morris - Clegg combination did the rest for a much needed away win.

ISLE OF WIGHT 44: Mark Baseby 10+1, James Cockle 10, Lee Smart 10, Kelsey Dugard 6+2, Chris Widman 6+1, George Piper 2, Tyler Govier 0

CRADLEY 45: Ashley Morris 14, Max Clegg 10+1, Luke Chessell 7+1, Bradley Andrews 7+1, Richard Andrews 5+1, Ben Basford 2+1, James Purchase r/r