It’s better late than never

Scraping through a last-heat decider against rock-bottom visitors might not ordinarily be something to boast about.

But, where Panthers were concerned on Monday night, it was an outcome worth celebrating as they kept their hopes of a Premier League play-off spot alive.

The city men avoided the ignominy of an eighth East of England Showground defeat of the season when just about taking care of business against Rye House.

Recent signing Kenneth Bjerre and back-on-song skipper Ulrich Ostergaard roared to a 5-1 in a heat 15 re-run after both Rockets riders crashed out of the initial staging.

Cameron Heeps, the only man to beat Bjerre on the night, came off worst after taking evasive action when partner Stuart Robson spectacularly lost control just in front of him.

Robson was unscathed, but excluded, whereas Heeps left the track in an ambulance with concussion and muscle damage to a leg.

It meant the visitors had to call in high-scoring reserve Rob Branford for the re-run, but he could only watch on from the rear as Bjerre and Ostergaard surged to a vital success.

Ostergaard’s return to form with paid 13 was probably the most satisfying aspect of this victory, which proved to be anything but a doddle as Panthers found themselves behind three times.

Butthe only thing that mattered was that the city side led at the end of the night.