King's Lynn 52, Workington 41 (Workington won 94-92 on aggregate): Lynn's reserve injury curse struck again in last night's Premier League win at the Norfolk Arena.

King's Lynn 52, Workington 41 (Workington won 94-92 on aggregate)

Lynn's reserve injury curse struck again in last night's Premier League win at the Norfolk Arena.

Benji Compton was taken to hospital with a suspected broken scaphoid after a heavy fall in his opening race. Reserve duo John Oliver and Grant McDonald were both ruled out with season-ending injuries earlier this year.

Compton could now miss Lynn's three-pronged trophy assault over the closing month of the season following his top bend tumble.

Adam Allott claimed a point in the re-run following Compton's exclusion on his first outing since defying medical advice to quit the sport after suffering a horrific broken back injury.

The popular racer (3+1 from seven) battled tirelessly in Compton's absence following his surprise call up to replace James Brundle for Lynn's season run in.

Daniel Nermark strengthened his case for rider-of-the-year with another impeccable Saddlebow display. Lynn's super Swede banged in a five ride maximum but the game visitors clung on for the bonus point after an emphatic Derwent Park victory.

Paul Lee carried his KO Cup semi final form into the opener with a swift trap to lead home skipper Tomas Topinka - Kauko Nieminen sliding out behind the fast gating Lynn duo.

Compton's painful exit handed Workington an instant chance to reply in kind - the all action youngster spinning off in a vain bid to overhaul Craig Branney.

James Wright elbowed out Trevor Harding in a first bend duel edged by Nermark before ex-Birmingham raider Ulrich Ostergaard repelled Chris Mills in the next.

Nermark gated to a smooth heat five flag to move Lynn back in front. Topinka used all his Saddlebow track craft to overhaul Charles Wright only for the Comet to hit the shale on the last lap to gift Lynn a heat advantage.

James Wright shepherded Craig Branney to a visiting max with the marauding Mills forced to settle for the minor spoils.

Allott earned points and plaudits from the home faithful with a solid support act behind Lee before Nermark's heat nine masterclass finally eased Lynn clear on the scoresheets.

James Wright's tactical raid halted the home charge for the bonus - Workington's heat leader pouncing to mug Mills on the final lap.

Nermark's pre-interval surge kept the Comets at arm's length before Lynn cashed in on Ostergaard's engine failure.

The over-worked Allott drew a blank in the penultimate contest but Harding's smooth trap squared the heat to seal victory.

Nermark glided to his full set in the finale with the luckless Ostergaard flying off to hand Lynn a closing max.

Stars: Topinka 13+2, Lee 7, Nermark 15, Harding 7+1, Mills 7+1, Allott 3+1, Compton 0

Comets: Nieminen 4, J Wright 15+1, C Branney 7+1, Ostergaard 6, C Wright 4+1, J Branney 5+2.