Lakeside 49 Wolves 41

Old maestro Peter Karlsson just failed to inspire Wolves to an unlikely league point at Lakeside last night.

The Monmore legend may be 40 but his reactions at the gate certainly haven’t dimmed.

And neither has his spatial awareness, twice looking round in the first corner and attempting to slow the race to help partner Ty Proctor on the outside run.

Wolves, beset by injury and rider unavailability, fielded a very unfamiliar side and were on the back foot from the off.

They could find only five race winners from the 15 heats, but never let the margin stray beyond eight points.

Skipper Tai Woffinden, afforded a sixth ride by the sensible switch of rider-replacement to cover the higher averaging Nicolai Klindt rather than Adam Skornicki, is gradually getting nearer his best form.

But on a surface that hardly encouraged passing he was doomed to a night largely comprising hopeful chasing despite his exploration of an assortment of racing lines.

With the feisty and spectacular Proctor again underlining his value to the side and a determined Ludvig Lindgren ensuring parity at reserve, the Parrys International Wolves were always in touch.

But of their other two guests Ulrich Ostergaard never looked like repeating his recent big night at the track for Belle Vue, while for young Kyle Hughes this was not so much a bridge too far as a bridge too soon.

Indeed, and cruel as it may seem, Ostergaard’s inability to beat home number eight Lubos Tomicek in the latter’s only race could be regarded as the factor which cost Wolves a point.

The Monmore men, assisted by a minor spate of home fallers, got back to within two points and were in with a shout of an unlikely league point at six down with two races to go.

Woffinden notched his only victory in the penultimate heat, leaving his side needing a share of the spoils in the last.

Lee Richardson, immaculate all night, always looked the likely winner but the circumstances of the match meant the heat was all about who finished last.

Kauko Nieminen managed to relegate Karlsson to the back and although second-placed Woffinden shr-ewdly tried to slow proceedings to bring PK back into play, the Swede’s ailing machine was taking him backwards in relative terms. Even the old maestro sometimes has to play second fiddle.