Birmingham clinch play-off advantage in derby battle

And even though injury-hit Wolves have a two-point deficit going into the return leg at Perry Barr next Monday having lost 46-44, they can hold their heads high.

The Monmore men were without key riders at opposite ends of the team. Tai Woffinden and Jacob Thorssell are a big miss and there is little doubt they would be carrying a lead with them fully fit, writes Nigel Pearson.

Niels-Kristian Iversen changed his travel plans to make a guest appearance for Woffinden but ended up with a hip injury after a horrifying high-speed crash.

Before then he had struggled for points and Nicolai Klindt, in for Thorssell, has clearly lost confidence in his riding as he trailed in last three times – but won his two other outings.

Wolves made the worst possible start with a Birmingham 5-1 but bounced back with a maximum of their own in the next.

Brummies star Ben Barker passed Robert Miskowiak to gain a point in Heat 3, and got by Adam Skornicki for a fine win in Heat 7. Iversen then fell on a 5-1 in Heat 10 – and Ricky Wells was pipped to the post by Brummies skipper Danny King. Iversen's only win came in Heat 13 as the home side managed to pull level.

But when Barker teamed up with impressive guest Andrew Tully in Heat 14, Birmingham cashed in.

Iversen's crash was unfortunate as Birmingham's Chris Harris dived up the inside and pulled level with the Dane in the turn. Iversen fell, landed badly and was fortunate to be avoided by Jason Doyle.

The re-run ended with a scuffle between riders and mechanics in the pits.

Wolverhampton: Fredrik Lindgren 13+1, Adam Skornicki 9, Ricky Wells 6, Nicolai Klindt 6, Niels-Kristian Iversen 5+1, Ludvig Lindgren 4+2, Robert Miskowiak 1.

Birmingham: Jason Doyle 12, Chris Harris 11, Ben Barker 9, Andrew Tully 6+2, Danny King 4, Martin Smolinski 3+2, Nico Covatti 1.