ANDRE Compton and Ben Wilson were the last heat heroes for Sheffield as they picked up their first away win of the season, 47-42, at Stoke.
With just one race to go Stoke were within sight, just a point behind Sheffield, to set the nerves jangling at Loomer Road.
Both Tigers riders stuck together from the start to secure a precious win over Garry Stead and Glenn Cunningham and it was a fine ride as the Stoke duo had dropped only one point each until then.
Club owner Neil Machin said: "It's probably not going to be enough to see us into the semi-finals, but it was great to get an away win all the same.
"We appeared to have control of the meeting but we still had a very nervous end because they got within a point of us and it needed a big effort from Andre and Ben to see us home."
STOKE: Garry Stead 12, Glenn Cunningham 11, Rusty Harrison 7, Lee Complin 4, Ben Barker 3+1, Jonathan Bethell 3+1, Barrie Evans 2+2. SHEFFIELD: Andre Compton 14, Ben Wilson 10+2, Joel Parsons 9, Ricky Ashworth 5+3, Paul Cooper 4+1, James Cockle 3, James Birkinshaw 2+2.
