Wolves’ poor away from continued last night with a 56-36 defeat at the hands of Poole Pirates, although the side did showsome improved form in the early heats.

For a track normally renowned for its slick nature, the Wimborne Road circuit boasted an unusually substantial coating of shale at the start of last night’s Elite League encounter, with Peter Karlsson passing Troy Batchelor to win the opening heat.

Fredrik Lindgren limbered up for his wild card appearance in this Saturday’s Swedish Grand Prix with two rapid wins in heats 4 and 6, while Kenneth Hansen recovered from a heat 2 fall to keep Batchelor at the rear in heat 6.

As the layer of dirt disappeared, however, the track returned to its normal slick condition so beloved of the home side, and they capitalised.

Wolves conceded successive 5-1s in heat 9 and 10 and the black and white helmet was handed to Karlsson for a points-doubling tactical ride.

He duly stormed home in front followed by David Howe, the 8-1 enough to put Wolves within eight points of the lead.

It was all too good to last, as the side scored just six points in the last four heats as the Pirates’ gating outwitted the visitors, and with few passing opportunities on the slick surface the aggregate point slipped away as well.

After showing signs of improvement at Eastbourne last Saturday, Billy Hamill’s batting efforts were largely in vain, while Magnus Karlsson looked very slow and registered a solitary point when heading William Lawson in the penultimate race.

The Scot only beat an opponent once all night, when a below-par Craig Boyce fell and remounted in heat 4.

The side will be looking to revitalise themselves once again when they take on Belle Vue at Monmore Green next Monday.