Lightning failed to strike twice at Brandon and it’s now advantage Swindon in the chase to finish top of the Elite League.

Earlier this month Wolves took a fighting draw at the home of rivals Coventry with a stunning last-heat 5-1.

But after controlling last night’s encounter and, looking set for their first league victory at the venue in five years, they suffered two costly engine failures for in-form Tai Woffinden.

A resurgence in form for home skipper Chris Harris and the concession of a 5-1 in the vulnerable heat 14 suddenly saw Wolves needing to repeat their earlier heroics to grab the draw.

This time it wasn’t to be. Harris hit the front, and with Edward Kennett tucked in behind him it appeared as if Wolves would suffer the indignity of collecting no points from the fixture at all.

But Fredrik Lindgren worked his way to second place to guarantee a point – skipper Peter Karlsson then also passed Kennett as insurance – and Wolves at least made their trip worthwhile, to a degree.

While they were losing a six-point lead and with it the match, Swindon were taking a crucial victory at Ipswich that leaves them in pole position.

If Wolves are to regain top spot they will almost certainly have to do it with a victory at Swindon next Thursday as the sides end their regular season before pausing for breath and heading into the play-offs.

Yet it could have been so different. Lindgren extended his Elite League unbeaten run to 25 races with a hat-trick of successes and, with Karlsson solid, Woffinden looking untouchable and Nicolai Klindt flying, they looked odds-on for the win.

But in the background were early engine problems for Chris Kerr and Adam Skornicki. The mechanical gremlins struck again when Woffinden’s engine lost power just as Harris made an inside dash and the Wolf had to bale out.

The resulting awarded 5-1 put the home side to within a couple of points and although Lindgren and Klindt immediately restored the margin with a dominant win over Rory Schlein, machinery was about to have a decisive word.

As the riders approached the start for heat 12, distress signals from an engine could be heard all round the stadium and when the tapes rose to leave Woffinden immobile, it was sadly obvious which one.

Coventry were now buoyant and after providing just three heat winners in the first 11 races, were then first to the flag in each of the final four.

Inspired by Ben Barker, who dropped his only point to Klindt in heat eight, the Bees finished in style.

Special mention to Schlein, in so much pain from his collarbone after a fall in heat 13 that he needed assistance in doing up his crash helmet strap for the re-run. The Aussie took a gritty third place ahead of Karlsson that gave his side extra breathing space at the conclusion.

For Wolves, an opportunity missed. But the play-offs loom and all is still to race for.