Edinburgh Monarchs show their grit in topsy-turvy Scottish derby

The Capital side were eight points ahead with just four heats to go in this BSN Series opening encounter, but soon found themselves staring at defeat - until new No.1 Dan Thompson intervened on the final bend of the final lap to earn a share of the spoils at Armadale.

Dan Thompson (red) and Jonatan Grahn (blue) lead the way for the Monarchs. Picture: Jack Cupido

The meeting struggled to kick into gear with several stoppages causing lengthy delays, most notable new reserve Mitch Cluff's heat two high-speed crash on the fourth bend that punctured one panel of the air fence.

After a strong start by the Tigers, the meeting swung in the favour of the home side at the midway point as Jonatan Grahn and Jordy Loftus registered the first 5-1 of the new campaign.

Another 5-1 in the very next heat then gave the Monarchs some breathing space and, by heat 11, they led 37-29.

But the visitors chipped away at that advantage and trailed by just two heading into the last race.

And when Kyle Howarth and Chris Harris sprung from the tapes, it looked curtains for the hosts.

But a quite incredible overtake from Thompson, who crossed the M8 divide in the winter, beat Harris to the line to snatch a draw.

"I made a few starts earlier on but in the last one I kind of span away from gate one and I thought it was job done when I saw Kyle come round the outside," Englishman Thompson said. "It's pretty hard from there. But I kept my head down for four laps and that last bend I thought I needed to try something different so I went in really slow so I could make a nice turn and hooked up on the kerb.

"I'll be honest we did throw it away. To be eight up it's not really the best. As a positive we managed to salvage a draw, it's not a loss but it's not really how we wanted to start. We're all strong at Glasgow, we ride there well. It's only our first meeting and for me personally I know I can do a lot better."