A Theo Pijper maximum helped Glasgow Tigers to all three Premier League points - despite being virtually a four-man team against Rye House Rockets.

The Dutchman scored 18 points at Ashfield to keep up his side's hopes of sneaking into the end-of-season play-offs with a 48-41 triumph.

The Tigers captain was backed by Rusty Harrison, who scored 16 and was beaten only once by an opponent, while Tero Aarnio scored nine in just his second home match since joining Glasgow.

Team manager Stewart Dickson was delighted with the result, which was secured by a last-heat 5-1 from his top two men.

He said: "Rye House will be kicking themselves because we were there for the taking, but it's amazing what team spirit can do.

"I gave Rusty and Theo a target of between 28 and 30 points, but we got a lot more than that between the two of them, which is incredible. It's a great three points because Plymouth are starting to put a bit of pressure on us now. It's a big weekend next weekend with Work-ington home and away."

Glasgow found themselves 18-12 behind after five heats as the guests from the lower division found it tough going around Ashfield.

The turning point came in heat eight when both the Rye House riders were excluded for falls, leaving the door wide open for Pijper and Fox to take a home 5-0.

Harrison led Aarnio home for a 5-1 in the next race to send the Tigers three ahead and swing things in their favour.

The sides then exchanged 4-2s, with ex- GB star Edward Kennett leading the Rockets' charge by beating Harrison in heat 11.

Though Glasgow took two of the next three heat wins, things remained in the balance as the races were all tied at 3-3 to keep things tight going into the final heat.

But then Pijper and Harrison stepped up to get the only result which would see the home men get all three league points.