Injury-hit Eastbourne Eagles suffered the agony of last-heat defeat on the night they were supposed to be mauled by Wolves.

But, long after the frustration has faded from a battling 48-45 defeat by Wolverhampton, this epic encounter will still be talked about as the Elite League coming of age of Lewis Bridger.

The 16-year-old from Bexhill, fresh from his first EL heat win in Friday's savaging of Oxford, went even better last night with three victories, including a gate-to-flag domination of vastly-experienced American Billy Hamill.

He was given seven rides, including that fateful heat 15 when David Norris fell and Billy Hamill and Peter Karlsson had the 5-1 which Wolves needed to snatch victory and the bonus point.

But, as the home pair wheelied and fireworks lit the sky, Bridger also permitted himself a lap of honour and received a deserved ovation from the Monmore Green faithful who had just enjoyed a fabulous night's racing.

Eagles promoter Jon Cook admitted: "It's so disappointing to lose but if you're looking for positives you don't know where to start.

"This was one of the best away performances I've been associated with and with five Englishmen in the line-up as well.

"It truly was a unique night and a shame we could not have capped it with what would have been a deserved victory.

"Every minute of being at the meeting was worth it to see Lewis and to see Dean Barker and David Norris continue their excellent form.

"This meeting will be remembered as the night Lewis came of age."

Bridger's progress is the talk of the league and the Wolverhampton faithful were clearly impressed, shocked even, with the efforts of a star in the making.

Former track record holder Norris chipped in with a couple of wins, the second of which saw Eagles into a 37-29 lead when an interval was called after heat 11.

And Barker, on a circuit he admits he dislikes, dropped just three points in five rides to continue his excellent season.

Rider-replacement for Adam Shields yielded nine paid points but you could only wonder what would have happened had Shields or Nicki Pedersen been fit to ride.

"Once Dean fired in early we suddenly thought we had a chance," said Cook, who had feared his team were in for a hiding ahead of the match.

"We will be back here with Nicki and, hopefully, Adam and looking for a victory."

Wolves had their top man in Peter Karlsson and he proved the matchwinner.

Karlsson did exactly what he did when guesting for Eastbourne last Friday. He remained unbeaten, one of the wins for double points, with Bridger the only Eagle to really give him a race.

The veteran Swede featured in three of the last four races, in which Eagles were outscored 19-8.

No wonder Cook was so pleased to head home last night with confirmation PK Max will ride for him as a guest when Eagles host Swindon on Saturday.

Karlsson was just 0.04 seconds outside the track record in winning heat one but Norris and Andrew Moore forced a 3-3.

Having seen an early four-point lead wiped out, Eagles used the rider-replacement facility to forge ahead again in heat seven.

It was vintage stuff from the old firm as Norris, in for Shields, went around the outside from gate four to charge well clear and Barker held the inside line to deny the desperate attempts of Hamill to get past.

Then Bridger left Magnus Karlsson trailing to lead Moore in a 4-2 as Eagles headed for that 37-29 lead.

Wolves came back out firing after the break.

They used Peter Karlsson as a tactical substitute from 15 metres back and, with great team-riding from Ronnie Correy, posted an 8-1 to reduce arrears to a single point.

Hamill and Peter Karlsson added a heat-13 5-1 to put them ahead for the first time but Bridger and Barker replied in kind and Eagles led 44-43 to set up that last-gasp drama.

Eagles have secured Joonas Kylmakorpi as replacement for Nicki Pedersen in Thursday's match at Peterborough. Trevor Harding replaces Andy Appleton at reserve.