New King’s Lynn Stars signing Nicolai Klindt scores 9+2 in 43-47 loss to Premiership leaders Ipswich at the Adrian Flux Arena

New rider Nicolai Klindt scored 9+2 as King’s Lynn Stars snatched a 43-47 defeat from the jaws of victory in their vital home clash against Premiership leaders Ipswich tonight.

Lynn led by four points going into Heat 13 but two successive 5-1 maximum Ipswich victories turned it.

What made this close clash winnable on Lynn's radar was two bonus victories over key away rider, ex-world title holder Jason Doyle, out of his first three outings at the Adrian Flux Arena. Club sponsors Minors & Brady handed out free air horns to the first 100 children through the gates to generate a big local derby atmosphere, and also supplied a face painter.

Lewis Kerr was ruled out due to an aggravated collarbone injury. The Dersingham racer guested for Plymouth on Tuesday but did not appear in Heat 15 having been signed out of the meeting.

Former Lynn rider Kasper Andersen of Championship club Redcar guested for Kerr at No.6.

The visitors missed two former Lynn riders. Ipswich operated rider replacement (R/R) for Erik Riss – out with a broken fibula – and brought in squad member Anders Rowe for Ben Barker who is suspended pending the outcome of lab tests on a non-negative drugs/alcohol test.

In Lynn’s first home meeting since July 14, the 2017 world champion Doyle bossed the opening shared heat ahead of Stars Thomas Jorgensen and Josh Pickering, with R/R Danyon Hume trailing.

Klindt, back with the club for the first time since 2013, made his bow by being third in Heat 3 behind team-mate Richie Worrall and winner Danny King.

Both teams then made a reserve switch. Ipswich's, Paul Starke, was passed by Richard Lawson, while Andersen was last behind Troy Batchelor as the Witches led 11-13.

Klindt passed on the first straight to memorably beat Doyle in one of the fastest Adrian Flux Arena times seen this year, just over 58 seconds.

Skipper Pickering and Jorgensen managed the first 5-1 maximum while Batchelor retired halfway through Heat 6 as Lynn edged ahead 20-16.

R/R Batchelor won the first race ahead of Jorgensen after track grading, Heat 8, to cut the deficit to 25-23 at midway.

Ex-Stars rider Batchelor continued his resurgence by beating Worrall and Klindt in a shared result.

King maintained his unbeaten record by being the Heat 10 victor, another 3-3 with Pickering and Jorgensen behind, both passing Anders Rowe.

The amazing Edwards held off Doyle long enough for Lawson to land a vital win as Lynn took a bonus 4-2 before the interval; 35-31.

King notched victory number four, with Worrall and reserve switch Andersen crucially following up.

Ipswich hit back with their first 5-1 via Doyle and Batchelor – who just held off Pickering – with Lawson in last.

Ipswich went with the fading Starke in the penultimate race which worked a treat, finishing behind Hume in a shock away 5-1.

Lynn thus needed a 5-1 just to force a super heat: Klindt won it but rider of the night King and Doyle bossed the minor placings with Pickering helpless at the back.

It leaves Lynn well off the pace for the end of season play-offs.

There was a collection for the Ben Fund (riders' benevolent fund) during the interval.

Lynn: Josh Pickering 7+1, Thomas Jorgensen 7+2, Richie Worrall 7, Nicolai Klindt 9+2, Richard Lawson 8, Kasper Andersen 4+2, Jason Edwards 1.

Ipswich: Jason Doyle 11+1, Erik Riss R/R, Danny King 14, Anders Rowe 0, Troy Batchelor 9+2, Paul Starke 8+1, Danyon Hume 5.

Fastest time: Doyle, Heat 13, 58.10 seconds. Lynn: Klindt, Heat 5, 58.13 seconds.

Referee: Tony Steele.