DUDLEY Heathens kept their National League Play-off hopes alive with a sensational 46-44 win over Belle Vue in a Monmore thriller on Tuesday.

The former Cradley club were inspired by skipper Jon Armstrong who notched 13 from his five rides, including a stunning last race to win the match.

Heathens were 35-31 down on a night of excellent racing from both sides but managed to take it to a last heat decider with 4-2 wins in Heats 12 and 14.

With the scores level at 42-42, Belle Vue’s Kyle Howarth took the lead with Armstrong second and debut boy Jamie Courtney keeping Adam McKinna at bay in third. Armstrong steadily made up ground on Howarth and passed him coming off the final turn to win the race, and the match, on the line to send the crowd wild.

Said Armstrong: “That’s more like it. It’s been a tough time for all the lads but don’t write us off just yet, we’re going to keep battling all the way.

“The fans were brilliant, I take a lot of the blame for the recent loss of form because I haven’t been leading from the front in the first race, but I certainly feel I am getting back to my best.”

Heathens will be looking to keep the play-off push going in their next meeting against local rivals Stoke at Monmore next Tuesday, August 23.

HEATHENS: Jon Armstrong 13, Richard Franklin 10, Jamie Courtney 9, Tom Perry 7, Darryl Ritchings 4+2, Ashley Morris 3+1, Danny Stoneman 0.

BELLE VUE: Kyle Howarth 12, Adam McKinna 12, Byron Bekker 9, Karl Mason 7+1, Scott Richardson 2+1, Chris Widman 2, Jason Garrity R/R.