PETERBOROUGH were stung a late Ipswich revival in the first leg of the SGB Championship KO Cup Final tonight.
The 'T Balfe Construction' Panthers had to settle for a 47-43 success in front of a packed crowd at the East of England Arena, but they saw an advantage which stood at 14 points slashed in the final third of the contest.
Guest number one Scott Nicholls top-scored with a paid 13-point haul for Peterborough, while Chris Harris, Paul Starke and Simon Lambert all provided two heat victories apiece.
But the visitors rallied despite losing Rory Schlein to injury following a heat four crash. They claimed advantages in three of the final five races to become favourites for the trophy.
Peterborough team boss Carl Johnson admitted his side were left kicking themselves.
He said: "We had the opportunity to build a commanding lead, but we didn't take it.
"If we don't manage to win the trophy, it will be the last few heats tonight that cost us.
"We have to give credit to Ipswich for the way they came back at us after losing Rory, but our boys all know we should have done better.
"They've given themselves a tough job to do in the second leg, but it's not until it's over. Anything can happen on the night in 15 heats of speedway."
The teams do battle against at Foxhall on Thursday (7.30pm).
SCORES PETERBOROUGH: Scott Nicholls (guest) 12+1, Chris Harris 9+2, Paul Starke 9, Ulrich Ostergaard 7+1, Simon Lambert 7, Scott Campos (guest) 3+1, Rider replacement for Bradley Wilson-Dean. IPSWICH: Danny King 13, Cameron Heeps 12, Kyle Newman 8+4, Connor Mountain 7+1, Nathan Greaves 3+1, Rory Schlein 0 (withdrawn), Rider replacement for Justin Sedgmen.