The Money Centre Stars rider, already with two paid maximums under his belt for the club this season, was among the riders expected to make progress – but he failed to make the cut.

Instead, the top-spot went to his 16-year-old Boston Barracudas team-mate Joe Haines, who also rides for Workington in the Premier League.

Haines steered clear of trouble all night and also featured in the best race of the meeting, Heat 20, when he swept through from third to first on the second lap, to beat two of his close challengers Charles Wright (Workington) and Sean Stoddart (Newcastle).

These are the three who have qualified for the final at Lakeside on April 25.

Unlucky not to go through was Edinburgh's Andrew Tully who topped the scorechart, but then crashed out on the third lap of the final and also bringing down Wright in a nasty looking spill which caused the race to be stopped and the results awarded.

Lambert, who won his first ride, made an excellent start to Heat 7 when his engine seized and he had to retire.

He switched bikes, but seemed down on power and duly missed out in a keenly contested meeting.

Scores

Final: Haines, Stoddart, Wright (fell awarded), Tully (fell excluded); no time, race awarded.

Scores after 20 qualifying heats: A. Tully 14; J. Haines 14; S. Stoddart 12; S. Martin 11; C. Wright 11; B. Bekker 9; J. Hart 9; S. Lambert 8; A. Lowe 7; G. Kendrew 6; S. Campos 4; K. Morris 4; S. Richardson 3; S. Whittington 3; O. Rayson 2; B. Hannon 0; R. Franklin (res) 0.