DUDLEY Heathens suffered an agonising Knockout Cup defeat against Buxton - losing a dramatic semi-final by a single point on aggregate.

Heathens trailed the Hitmen by four points from the first leg at Monmore Green but mounted a superb recovery to win the away fixture, with Jake Anderson and Barrie Evans both in outstanding form.

The home side opened an early 21-9 lead but Heathens immediately deployed Evans for double-points in Heat 6 and he combined with Ashley Morris for a big 8-1 to bring the visitors back into contention.

Back-to-back 4-2s extended the Hitmen's lead to nine on the day, but Heathens hit back with Anderson winning both Heats 10 and 11 backed up by third places from Micky Dyer and Tom Perry.

When Evans and Dyer took a 5-1 in Heat 13, the scores stood at 41-40 on the day and Heathens were left needing a 4-2 and a 5-1 from the last two races to complete an amazing comeback.

Anderson and Morris gated in a maximum position in Heat 14 but disaster struck as Morris came to grief on the second lap, and although Anderson took the win the home side were virtually safe.

They just had to provide a finisher in the last race, and they achieved that for the point they required as Anderson and Evans surged clear to leave the Heathens that single point short.

Buxton will face King's Lynn in the Cup Final, but Heathens are back at the Hi-Edge Raceway next Sunday for the second leg of their play-off semi-final - this time facing a ten-point first leg deficit.

BUXTON 45: Robert Branford 14+1, Jason Garrity 12+1, Adam Allott 9, Jonathan Bethell 5, Lewis Dallaway 4+1, Ashley Birks 1, Nick Morris R/R.

HEATHENS 48: Barrie Evans 17+1, Jake Anderson 16, Micky Dyer 6+1, Ashley Morris 4+2, Tom Perry 4+1, Richard Franklin 1+1, Lee Smart R/R.