POOLE Pirates came from four points down to snatch a 45-all Elite League draw in the final race at the Arena-Essex Raceway as Lakeside Hammers failed to capitalise on the absence of the missing Hans Andersen and were left rueing what might have been.

The meeting was close throughout as the Hammers fought hard to overturn early Poole advantages before edging ahead over the course of the final few races.

Jonas Davidsson’s from the back heat win over Bjarne Pedersen in heat 14 appeared to have given the home side the impetus to march on and push for the full points quota of three.

But it was not to be.

Pedersen gated from the inside and ensured Lee Richardson did not have room to run around the outside of him, leaving the inside clear for partner Chris Holder to dive up the inside and hold off the pursuing Davidsson.

There were plenty of good early exchanges as Poole arrived in determined mood in front of the Sky Sports cameras and the Hammers returned to home action after a month's break.

Richardson had to work hard in the opening race to pass the impressive Joe Screen and Stuart Robson did likewise when he pulled off an excellent pass to overhaul Ben Wilson in heat two.

Debutant Piotr Swiderski didn't get off to the ideal start in heat three when he trailed in behind Daniel Davidsson, but things did improve for the Pole and he signed off proceedings with a race victory in heat 12.

With Joonas Kylmakorpi both feeling and subsequently performing under par, Pirates grabbed a 4-2 in heat eight through Screen and Wilson to edge back in front.

But Swiderski teamed up with the determined Davidsson to put the Hammers in front for the first time in the meeting.

Richardson gated to two excellent victories in heats 10 and 13 to keep the Hammers in front, but was beaten to the turn in the final race as the Pirates extracted their own revenge for the Hammers' earlier draw at Wimborne Road last month.

l Hammers continue their challenge for a top four play-off placewhen leaders Swindon Robins come to Purfleet on Friday.