Tomas Topinka's cruel engine failure gifted Newcastle a dramatic last heat Premier League win at Brough Park last night.

Newcastle 46, King's Lynn 44 (Lynn won 106-77 on aggregate)

Tomas Topinka's cruel engine failure gifted Newcastle a dramatic last heat Premier League win at Brough Park last night.

The Stars' inspirational skipper was two laps from anchoring a second road win in 48 hours until mechanical problems handed the Geordies' a decisive maximum.

Lynn looked odds on for the win after a rocket-fuelled opening thrust put Newcastle on the back foot.

The Diamonds' tireless middle order kept the hosts in touch before James Grieves and Josef Franc pounced on Topinka's misfortune - Lynn's top man on the evening Kevin Doolan relegated to third in the finale.

Premier Trophy hero Troy Batchelor signalled his return from World U21 duty by fighting off experienced Diamonds heat leader George Stancl behind the swift-gating Doolan in the opener.

Lynn moved eight clear when red hot reserves Chris Mills and John Oliver drove around the outside to shut out Jamie Robertson.

Christian Henry survived an early tussle with Rye House headliner Daniel Nermark to peg the Stars back - Franc powering underneath Trevor Harding for second.

Oliver headed captain Topinka as Grieves emerged unscathed from a first bend fight.

Doolan repelled Franc to claim his second flag of the night before Topinka wore down Robertson to maintain Lynn's four-point advantage.

Grieves took the bypass to fly around Nermark but Harding dived inside McKinna exiting the final turn of a crackerjack heat seven.

Batchelor's class turned the next into a procession with compatriot Oliver gliding past Robertson.

Newcastle closed within two when Topinka was left at the start before Nermark was denied by Stancl's brave dart to claim a hard fought heat ten drew the hosts level.

Lynn's Aussie contingent had no answer to Grieves before Henry nudged the Diamonds in front after an incident-packed re-run heat 12 - the winner emerging unscathed from a nasty collision with Mills that propelled him 60 metres across the shale.

Topinka and Doolan conjured a Norfolk Arena heat 13 special to turn the rollercoaster meeting again before Nermark and Oliver secured the minor placings in the penultimate race to preserve the two-point gap.

The league champions-elect looked poised for a fifth away win when Topinka bolted from the gate until the Czech's agonising engine failure.

Diamonds: Stancl 6, Henry 11+2, Franc 12+1, Grieves 13, McKinna 0, Robertson 4+1.

Stars: Doolan 11+1, Batchelor 6+2, Harding 2+1, Nermark 6, Topinka 8+1, Mills 3, Oliver 8+2.

t The newly crowned Premier Trophy winners have announced a photo and signing session prior to tomorrow's home Premier League meeting against Berwick at the Norfolk Arena. “This is a great opportunity for all the fans to come and hold the trophy and meet the team,” said Stars co-promoter Jonathan Chapman. “It's the first time in our history and we would love it if the whole town came along to embrace it.” The signing session takes place between 6pm and 7pm.