CRADLEY needed a last heat decider to edge through to the next round of the Knockout Cup with a 46-42 win over Buxton.

The Heathens fought back from eight points down to secure back-to-back, last gasp 5-1's to edge a dramatic encounter at Monmore Green last night.

Max Clegg and Ashley Morris were the heat 15 heroes once again as the Heathens wrapped up a 90-86 aggregate victory.

The former Dudley Wood outfit could and should have sealed a much more comfortable win, but let a number of points slip on a tough night.

A relieved team manager Will Pottinger said: "We made hard work of it at times but we're through and that's all that matters.

"We threw some silly points away at times and we should have had it wrapped up way before we did.

"We were hit with rain just minutes before the meeting was due to start and the conditions proved tricky for a couple of the lads.

"We need to learn from tonight's meeting but right now we're just happy to have got another win."

Club captain Max Clegg inspired the Heathens to their sixth straight home win with an untouchable 15-point maximum.

Ben Basford recovered from a spill in his first outing to secure his highest tally in the main body of the team on another night of improvement for the Middlesbrough based racer.

Luke Chessell finished off with two wins out of three after suffering two exclusions in his opening pair of races.

James Purchase chipped in with another vital contribution from reserve - but was taken to hospital for x-rays on his collarbone after the meeting following an awkward, heavy tumble after being collected by Buxton's Shelby Rutherford in heat 14.

Ashley Morris endured a frustrating night mechanically, but showed his class by pulling off a great move up the inside of Nathan Greaves in the final heat to help secure victory for the Heathens.

While Layne Cupitt failed to score on his debut, his effort was clear for all to see and there were plenty of encouraging signs for the teenager.

The Heathens travel to Mildenhall this Sunday as they go in search of their first Travel Plus National League points away from home.

CRADLEY 46: Max Clegg 15, Ben Basford 9, Luke Chessell 8, James Purchase 7+2, Ashley Morris 7+1, Layne Cupitt 0, Jack Kingston R/R.

BUXTON 42: Nathan Greaves 11, Ellis Perks 9+1, Lee Geary 8+2, Ryan Burton 7+1, Shelby Rutherford 5+1, Chris Hay 2, Ryan Blacklock R/R.

Cradley win 90-86 on aggregate