PETERBOROUGH 46, SCUNTHORPE 43: RYAN Fisher and Lasse Bjerre delivered a dazzling last stand as Peterborough snatched a narrow advantage in their KO Cup first round clash against Scunthorpe.
The big-hitting ‘TC Harrison’ Panthers pair bagged a maximum in the finale over former Peterborough riders Nicolai Klindt and David Howe to settle another East of England Showground thriller in sensational style.
But it was a victory tinged with disappointment as Peterborough had earlier seen a 10-point lead turn into a three-point deficit after being on the receiving end of visiting advantages four times in the space of five races.
The last of those hefty blows from Scunthorpe involved a controversial call from referee Chris Gay who awarded them a 5-0 in heat 12 after Oliver Greenwood tumbled out on the final lap.
The Panthers reserve appeared to be left no room by Thomas Jorgensen as he hit the first bend air fence, but referee Gay saw it differently.
Panthers’ other representative, Ales Dryml had retired at the tapes, but the hosts battled hard in the closing stages to edge back ahead.
Captain Ulrich Ostergaard, who had earlier suffered a nasty crash on the back straight in heat five, chose the perfect moment to claim his first victory of the night in a heat 14 4-2 as Greenwood bagged third spot to slash their arrears to a single point.
And they completed the turnaround when Fisher and Bjerre took control of the last instalment during a breathtaking final lap.
Bjerrre was briefly passed by countryman Klindt later in the contest, but he edged back ahead to follow home his partner.
Number one Fisher, who top-scored with paid 13, admitted: “We really needed a big result in heat 15 and it felt great to get it.
“I always expect to win races at my home track and I felt like I finally had some speed again.
“We only have a small lead to take to Scunthorpe, but we will do everything we can to get through.”
Fisher’s top support came from Bjerre on 10+2 while Dryml roared to victories in his first two rides before his night went downhill.
Lewis Blackbird battled to eight points through the pain of a shoulder injury while reserve Joe Jacobs spearheaded a 5-1 in heat two despite being troubled by a rib problem from a crash while racing for National League side Mildenhall last week.
Klindt, still sporting a Panthers race-suit from his unhappy spell at the club last season, was excellent on his return to Alwalton.
He led the way for Scunthorpe with 11+1 while Howe – a Premier League winner with Panthers the last time they raced at this level in 1998 – added nine.
Panthers travel north for the second leg at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.
SCORES
‘TC HARRISON’ PANTHERS: Ryan Fisher 11+2, Lasse Bjerre 10+2, Lewis Blackbird 8, Ales Dryml 7, Ulrich Ostergaard 4, Oliver Greenwood 3+1, Joe Jacobs 3.
SCUNTHORPE: Nicolai Klindt 11+1, David Howe 9, Thomas Jorgensen 8+1, Ryan Douglas 7+2, Josh Auty 4+1, Ashley Birks 3+1, Matt Williamson 1.