SHEFFIELD pulled off a stunning 51-41 League Cup win over reigning Premier League champions Scunthorpe at Owlerton on Thursday.

And the result gives the Sheffield Window Centre-backed side a great chance of reaching the semi-finals after gaining a point at Leicester last weekend.

They'll be looking for something similar when they head to Scunthorpe with an unchanged side for the return fixture on Friday night (7.30).

Skipper Simon Stead romped to four straight wins in his 12-point haul and was denied the lot with a last race spill.

Tigers chief David Hoggart, who shares the team manager role with Nigel Hinchliffe, said: "It's been a very good night both for the team and for the club overall with a very good crowd.

"I cannot speak highly enough of Simon Stead, he is a fantastic rider, and it was brilliant to see Facundo Albin pull off his first win in British Speedway.

"Jake Knight was fantastic, I could talk about all seven - it was a superb team effort and the team spirit is brilliant.

"We know it will be different at Scunthorpe on Friday, they have a team of track specialists, but we will go there with confidence and have a go. Who knows what we may do?"

Sheffield 51: Simon Stead 12, Ricky Wells 10+1, Richard Hall 9, Facunda Albin 7+2, Joe Haines 7+1, Jake Knight 4, Damien Koppe 2.

Scunthorpe 41: Thomas Jorgensen 12+1, Ashley Birks 9+1, Michael Palm Toft 6+1, Ryan Douglas 5+1, Josh Auty 4+2, David Howe 4, Josh Bates 1.