Like London buses, Workington Comets waited all season for an away league point then two came along at once as they held Redcar to a 45-45 draw tonight.

Ricky Wells and Kyle Howarth starred in a heart-filled performance from the depleted away side, while solid points from guests Richard Hall and Morten Risager and consistent reserve Matty Wethers helped the cause in tricky conditions.

Ironically after a season of away woes, Comets manager Tony Jackson was left frustrated by what might have been after his side threw away a 5-1 in the penultimate heat to settle for a draw.

He said: “You can always be greedy and want one more point but at least we didn’t lose.

“The win would have been nice to bookend the season.

“We didn’t get that which is the annoying thing but heat 15 was one of the best races of the season, battling all the way.

“We’re all quite positive and it’s good we’ve got something away from home this season.”

The visitors made a steady start, Steve Worrall untouchable at the front but Wells and Hall comfortable behind him to share the points in the opening heat.

A frustrating heat two saw precarious track conditions get the better of Matt Williamson, who fell while leading on the second lap, allowing Jan Graversen to lead from Wethers and Dimitri Berge to the flag.

Nike Lunna rode to an impressive win in heat three, but Comets duo Hall and Morten Risager negotiated the increasingly difficult track to follow him home for another draw.

The surface proved to be Workington’s undoing again in heat four, Wethers tumbling on the first bend but clearing the track to allow Kyle Howarth to split Berge and Jonas Andersen for a home 4-2.

It was Wells, so often Comets’ saviour this season, who set the example in heat five with a classy win from the gate, but his teammate Hall was edged out by Pijper and Lunna for another stalemate.

Bears No1 Worrall secured another impressive victory in heat six, but fine rides from young Comets stars Howarth and Williamson kept him on his toes for a fourth draw in seven races.

It was that man again Wells who delivered the goods in heat eight, imperious out front while Risager produced the first pass of the night in thrilling last lap fashion to secure third and a Comets 4-2.

And the passes kept coming, Hall swooping past Berge behind smooth operator Worrall and the rejuvenated Wethers to clinch a draw in heat eight.

Howarth sealed his third consecutive second place in heat nine as he couldn’t reel in Lunna, while Pijper pipped Williamson for a Bears 4-2.

Risager proved to be a thorn in the hosts’ side once again in heat 10, roaring around the outside of Lunna on the second lap for third place and another draw as Howarth trailed the still unbeaten Worrall.

Comets were still within touching distance of their first and only away win of the season with five heats to go, and Wells kept the pressure on with another stylish win from gate to flag. Andersen, Berge and Hall followed to make it 35-31 after 11 races.

The nerves continued as an impressive eighth draw unfolded in heat 12, Pijper getting the better of Wethers but Risager close behind his teammate from gate to flag.

A spectacular sucker punch from Wells and Howarth in heat 13 stunned Redcar, the previously unflappable Worrall winding up at the back as Howarth stormed through the pack to chase Wells over the line.

The Bears hit back with an equally barnstorming ride from Graversen in heat 14, the Dane cutting under Wethers before swinging around the outside of Risager to snatch a 3-3 from what had looked like a certain Comets win.

Comets’ gritty performance paid off with at least one league point guaranteed, but the away side fancied all three with one to go as Wells and Howarth lined up in blue and white.

Worrall was back on song with a last gasp win in a pulsating heat 15, but the Comets pair did excellent work behind the Bear to earn two points on the road at last for Workington’s loyal away following to cheer.

Redcar Bears 45

1. Steve Worrall – 3, 3, 3, 3, 0, 3 = 15

2. Matej Kus R/R

3. Theo Pijper – 0, 2, 1, 3 = 6

4. Nike Lunna – 3, 1*, 3, 0, 0 = 7+1

5. Jonas Andersen – 1, 2, 2, 1, 0 = 6

6. Jan Graversen – 0, 3, 0, 3 = 6

7. Dimitri Berge – 1, 3, 0, 0, 1*, 0 = 5+1

Workington Comets 45

1. Ricky Wells – 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 16

2. Richard Hall – 1*, 2, 0, 1*, 0 = 4+2

3. Rene Bach R/R

4. Morten Risager – 1*, 1, 1*, 1*, 2 = 6+3

5. Kyle Howarth – 2, 2, 2, 2, 2*, 1* = 11+2

6. Matt Williamson – F, 1*, 0 = 1+1

7. Matthew Wethers – 2, F, 2, 2, 1* = 7+1

HEAT BY HEAT

HEAT 1 – Worrall, Wells, Hall, Graversen – 54.4, 3-3

HEAT 2 – Graversen, Wethers, Berge, Williamson (Fell) – 56, 4-2, 7-5

HEAT 3 – Lunna, Hall, Risager, Pijper – 55.6, 3-3, 10-8

HEAT 4 – Berge, Howarth, Andersen, Wethers (Fell) – 54.8, 4-2, 14-10

HEAT 5 – Wells, Pijper, Lunna, Hall – 54.6, 3-3, 17-13

HEAT 6 – Worrall, Howarth, Williamson, Berge – 54.7, 3-3, 20-16

HEAT 7 – Wells, Andersen, Risager, Graversen – 54.8, 2-4, 22-20

HEAT 8 – Worrall, Wethers, Hall, Berge – 54.8, 3-3, 25-23

HEAT 9 – Lunna, Howarth, Pijper, Williamson – 56.2, 4-2, 29-25

HEAT 10 – Worrall, Howarth, Risager, Lunna – 55.5, 3-3, 32-28

HEAT 11 – Wells, Andersen, Berge, Hall – 55.1, 3-3, 35-31

HEAT 12 – Pijper, Wethers, Risager, Berge – 56.8, 3-3, 38-34

HEAT 13 – Wells, Howarth, Andersen, Worrall – 56.3, 1-5, 39-39

HEAT 14 – Graversen, Risager, Wethers, Lunna – 57.5, 3-3, 42-42

HEAT 15 – Worrall, Wells, Howarth, Andersen – 56.4, 3-3, 45-45