DUDLEY Heathens' National League title hopes took a big hit as in-form Buxton took their second victory in less than a month at Monmore Green.

Heathens could have no complaints at the end of an incident-packed first leg tie, which contained numerous talking points and a terrific atmosphere but simply not enough race wins for the home side.

Dudley had a dream start with a first-race 5-1 from Lee Smart and Micky Dyer after Buxton No.1 Craig Cook had fallen - but the visitors refused to be put off by that and took control of the meeting with three 5-1s of their own in a four-race spell between Heats 4 and 7.

Smart and Dyer remained the most effective Heathens, skipper Smart dropping his only point in the last race, but the Hitmen racked up eleven race wins in total with the fast-gating Adam Allott unbeaten with the exception of a disqualification for tape-breaking in Heat 10.

The visitors also had a major sting in the tail as 15-year-old Jason Garrity clocked up paid-17 at reserve, his uncompromising style leading to several moments of high tension in the pits and not all involving members of the opposition!

Heathens will look to bounce back when they make first of two return trips to Buxton this Sunday, starting with Knockout Cup action when their first-leg deficit is four points.

DUDLEY 40: Lee Smart 13+1, Micky Dyer 7+1, Ashley Morris 5+2, Tom Perry 5+1, Richard Franklin 4+1, Jake Anderson 3+1, Barrie Evans 3.

BUXTON 50: Jason Garrity 13+4, Adam Allott 12, Robert Branford 9+1, Nick Morris 8+1, Craig Cook 6, Lewis Dallaway 2, Jonathan Bethell r/r.