INJURY-HIT Sheffield Tigers kept alive their hopes of a play-off place with an impressive 57-36 win over Birmingham at Owlerton.

But the victory was at a cost as both Andre Compton and James Cockle were ruled out of the meeting after a horrifying crash in the fifth race.

The drama erupted as Birmingham’s new signing Henning Bager flew from the tapes, tried to block the hard chasing Compton on the back straight and clipped the Tiger’s front wheel, sending him sprawling on the track at full speed - while third-placed Cockle was unable to avoid the carnage and ploughed into his team-mate.

With the ambulance on track for a lengthy spell it looked worrying, but thankfully Compton escaped with heavy bruising and Cockle suffered a leg injury. Both will miss tonight’s league clash at Edinburgh.

But trump card Paul Cooper came to the rescue with a magnificent seven-ride performance to quash any fears of a home defeat.

Said team manager Reg Wilson: “It was a great effort from everyone because after the accident we were forced to run with one rider in two of the heats, we we that down on numbers.

“But it proved we are made of tough stuff and we can still make an impact at the top end of the table,” he added.

TIGERS: P. Cooper 17+2, R. Ashworth 14+1, B. Wilson 11+2, J. Parsons 10+1, J. Cockle 2+1, A. Compton 2, B. Hopwood 1.
BIRMINGHAM: J. Lyons 13, B. Powell 10, H. Moller 4+1, M. Hauzinger 4, L. Smart 3+2, H. Bager 2+1.

Compton and Cockle will miss tonight’s trip to Edinburgh, with Lee Complin - the sensational winner of last week’s Garry Stead Grand Prix - returning to Sheffield colours for the first time since quitting the sport five years ago.

Complin, now with Stoke, comes in as a guest for Compton while David Speight replaces Cockle. Tigers defend a 28-point lead from the match at Owlerton earlier this month.