THE margin might not have been huge and the manner wasn't completely convincing, but the importance of this Panthers triumph is immense.

The depleted city side took their first tentative step in the right direction by leapfrogging last night's victims Wolverhampton to escape the Elite League basement.

With seriously injured Kenneth Bjerre lying on an operating table in Denmark and reserve rider Henrik Moller also absent in his homeland with hand damage, Trevor Swales' men faced a tall order against a set of visitors laden with past, possibly future and certainly proficient Showground riders.

But the remaining members of the Panthers corps delivered the goods by producing a display oozing several of the ingredients that have been sorely missing of late.

To suggest this result might be the start of a surge to greatness would be seriously premature, but the vital commodities of speed, strength and determination were all in plentiful supply

Captain Hans Andersen masterfully led from the front with a 17+1 paid maximum as his first outing aboard new GM machinery after ditching his old Jawa engines went perfectly to plan.

Andersen looked quicker than ever and for once had plenty of support. Danny King delivered 14 richly deserved points in an all-action display with middle-order man Claus Vissing and recently relocated to reserve Morten Risager both adding half-a-dozen.

"It was a big ask to get a result without Kenneth and I am really glad for him that we could pull through," said Andersen.

"Wolverhampton might have had a poor start like ourselves but their team is full of riders who are good around the Showground so we can be proud of ourselves for picking up the win.

"It was nice to get back on track myself and it is clear the change of engines has given me plenty of speed.

"But the main thing is improving as a team and we are certainly making progress."

That was evident as early as the first heat when Andersen was followed home by the returning Henning Bager for a first meeting-opening 5-1 of the campaign.

The Panthers line-up suddenly has a much more solid look now Bager is back in town and it didn't take the lanky Dane long to give his trademark air-punching celebration an airing.

Bager faded after a bright opening to finish on 3+1 points but he gave more than enough indications that he will be a consistent source of points in an area where they have been scarce.

"It is wonderful to be back," said Bager.