WOLVERHAMPTON took a huge step towards the play-offs with a terrific 51-39 win at Leicester on Thursday.

The visitors put on another impressive away performance to follow up their recent victory at Peterborough, and they were never in serious danger during the meeting.

Former Lions rider Ryan Douglas starred with four successive wins before being denied a maximum in Heat 15, but it was the collective team effort which underpinned the result.

Wolves made a storming start to the meeting with Steve Worrall lowering the colours of Grand Prix star Max Fricke in Heat 1 as skipper Sam Masters completed a 4-2.

Reserves Leon Flint and Zach Cook dominated Heat 2 as the visitors opened an early six-point lead, and Rory Schlein then produced a super move to go round Richie Worrall on the third lap of Heat 3.

With Luke Becker recovering from a first-bend clash to hold third place, that made it 13-5 and Douglas kept the ball rolling by winning a shared Heat 4 as Flint found himself bundled out.

Wolves moved ten points up with another 4-2 in Heat 5 as Masters raced clear of Richie Worrall, with the visitors' Steve Worrall in third.

Lions boss Stewart Dickson elected to track Richard Lawson as a tactical substitute in Heat 6, combining with Fricke, but Douglas prevented any comeback with a brilliant start as the home duo were unable to make any impression.

Leicester finally put a win on the board as Lawson re-passed Schlein in Heat 7 but the hosts were making little progress and Wolves added another 4-2 in Heat 9 with Douglas gating for his third win and Cook holding Richie Worrall at bay.

The hosts finally recorded a 5-1 from an eventful Heat 10 with Justin Sedgmen overcoming Becker for second place - but Wolves hit straight back in the next with a super maximum from Masters and Steve Worrall over Lawson.

With a 12-point lead to defend, Wolves were in full control and Becker took them to the brink of victory as he came out on top of a fierce battle with Richie Worrall in Heat 12.

Douglas held off Fricke in Heat 13 to confirm the away win with the Wolves hitting the 50-point mark with one race remaining before the hosts grabbed a consolation 5-1 in the last.

LEICESTER 39: Max Fricke 11+1, Richard Lawson 10+1, Richie Worrall 8, Drew Kemp 5+2, Justin Sedgmen 5+1, Jake Allen 0, Craig Cook R/R.
WOLVERHAMPTON 51: Ryan Douglas 12, Sam Masters 9, Steve Worrall 8+1, Rory Schlein 8, Luke Becker 6+1, Leon Flint 5+1, Zach Cook 3+1.

Photo credit: RICHARD BOETTCHER