Sittingbourne Crusaders came close to their first Conference League win of the season – but lost out 46-44 to Buxton Hitmen after a last-heat decider.

A depleted home side raced into an eight-point lead after five heats on Sunday, but a usual mid-meeting collapse by the Crusaders saw the Hitmen reduce the gap and take the lead for the first time after a 5-1 win by Jack Roberts and Gareth Isherwood in heat 13.

A steady win by Aaron Baseby over Isherwood, one of only two defeats in a storming afternoon for him, then set up the grand finale.

Roberts got the better of Dean Felton despite a scare on the last bend, and with Nathan Irwin out of sorts at the back the Hitmen took a narrow two-point win back to Derbyshire.

Isherwood was among the most impressive riders, winning heat two from the tapes on the way to a tremendous 19-point tally. Irwin was another home rider who came up with a much-improved showing, taking a classy win in heat five.