Eastbourne Eagles cranked up their Elite League title challenge with a 47-43 win over champions Oxford last night.

It was their third win in three away matches, but it went right down to the wire after Eagles had stormed into a 21-9 lead after just five heats.

And they had to thank an engine failure for Oxford guest Jason Lyons in the deciding race for a thrilling victory.

Leigh Adams, who was unbeaten all night, and Lyons were first and second, which would have made the result 45-45, when Lyons packed up.

Eagles bagged early successive 5-1's via Toni Svab and Savalas Clouting and then Stefan Andersson and Dean Barker.

A second 4-2 by Mark Loram and David Norris, with Loram coming from the back, put Eagles 12 points up.

Oxford cut the deficit to four with two maximum heat wins, but Eagles took control again with 4-2's by Joe Screen and Clouting and then Andersson and Barker in the next.

A double tactical by Oxford in heat 12 produced a 5-1 for Lyons and Steve Johnston, and another 5-1 in heat 13 amazingly levelled it at 39-39.

Loram passed Adams but then fell, and the race was awarded to Adams and Lyons with Screen third.

Svab and Andersson hit back with a 5-1 in heat 14 to put Eagles ahead 44-40, and when Loram and Svab chased home Adams in the last it was just enough to win it for Eagles.

Oxford: Adams 17, Lyons 12, Johnston 5, Ales Dryml 3, Lukas Dryml 2, Mark Lemon 2, Andrew Appleton 2.

Eastbourne: Svab 11, Loram 10, Andersson 8, Screen 7, Barker 5, Clouting 4, Norris 2.