TEAM manager Neil Middleditch admits Pirates may need to start sharing the load in a bid to avoid too many dramatic last-heat deciders.

Chris Holder and Darcy Ward claimed a fifth successive 5-1 as Poole maintained their unbeaten start in the Elite League with victory over Lakeside on Wednesday.

The Turbo Twins capped another absorbing contest as Coastal Aluminium Pirates clawed back an eight-point deficit to climb to second in the embryonic table.

Holder and Ward have been denied only one last-heat maximum in seven meetings this season, the pair separated by Freddie Lindgren in the Elite Shield win at Wolves in March.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “They dug us out of a hole again but we were really up against it. It was a bit of an exception because we were without the services of Ricky Kling and Dennis Andersson and then Sam Masters pulled out before the start.

“Their record in the last heat is pretty amazing but that is why we have got them. It was another miracle 5-1. They produced the goods again but we can’t keep relying on them.”

Middleditch joked: “It has certainly had me pulling out what remaining hair I have got left and I wore out some shoe leather pacing up and down the pits on Wednesday!”

Although Pirates registered victory, the meeting was a sombre affair following the untimely death of Lakeside skipper and former Poole star Lee Richardson on Sunday.

Middleditch added: “It was great to win but, considering the circumstances, I would have been happy with a draw.

“It was a tremendous meeting and a good tribute to Lee.”