POOLE were the undisputed kings of British speedway in 2004 - and Panthers fans saw plenty of evidence of their dominance.

The Dorset aces were involved in three meetings at the Showground and this was the only occasion on with Panthers managed to avoid defeat - and they did it courtesy of a dramatic conclusion.

The city side never once held the lead and the only two occasions on which they hauled themselves level were after the first and - more importantly - the last heat.

Skipper Gary Havelock provided the only home success in the opening four heats as a Panthers side featuring Chris Harris and Andy Smith and also operating rider replacement were quickly cast adrift.

But the captain donned the black and white helmet to some success in the fifth race when dramatically grabbing second spot from Jason Lyons as Panthers cut their arrears with a 7-1 return - guest Smith taking the flag in front.

A 5-1 from the successful Havelock/Smith combination in heat nine kept things interesting but Smith's night came to a premature end when he tumbled off in the next race.

That left Panthers really up against it but Henning Bager hit form to win heat 12 before Harris obliged in the next to leave the contest delicately poised.

The Alwalton faithful must have feared the worst when Havelock's bike packed up early in a crucial heat 14, but Bager delivered one of his finest Showground rides to grab the win and send Panthers into the final heat needing an unlikely 5-1 for a share of the spoils.

And they got it as the now-repaired Havelock and Harris comfortably got the better of Lindback and David Norris to make sure a nervous night ended with a huge sigh of relief.

Scores

Panthers: Gary Havelock 15+1, Chris Harris 11+1, Henning Bager 8+1, Andy Smith 5+1, Tomasz Piszcz 4+3, Ricky Ashworth 3, Rider replacement for Lukas Dryml.

Poole: Antonio Lindback 15+2, David Norris 8+2, Graeme Gordon 8+2, Jason Lyons 8, Magnus Zetterstrom 7+1, Daniel Davidsson 0, Rider replacement for Bjarne Pedersen.