Arena Essex 41, Oxford Silver Machine 49: A magical performance by Oxford Silver Machine saw them pull off a shock victory over Arena Essex at the Purfleet Raceway in last night's Elite League speedway encounter.

Oxford, rocked by a career-threatening injury to new man Billy Hamill at Swindon last week, were never headed as they utilised the rider-replacement facility for the American.

The visitors found a trump card in Niels-Kristian Iversen who recorded five race wins in his six rides, while Tom P Madsen returned nine points.

On a damp, murky evening that caused visibility problems for the riders because of the spray, Oxford made light of the difficulties.

They attacked the conditions in a positive manner throughout, with Travis McGowan and Greg Hancock overhauling Gary Havelock for a perfect start.

That proved to be the first of six heat advantages for the visitors.

The same pairing repeated their maximum effort in heat five, leading from the gate to give their side a 18-12 advantage against an Arena side for whom five-times world champion Tony Rickardsson was making his home debut.

Iversen's only setback came in heat seven as he fell on the tricky fourth turn when challenging Rickardsson for the lead, but he quickly recovered to bounce out of the gate in heat ten to forge a 4-2 and allowing the Silver Machine to regain the lead.

The advantage was extended in the next heat when the uncertain Rickardsson drifted wide at the second turn, allowing Hancock and McGowan to take the initiative and the Oxford duo made no mistake.

Although Arena clawed a couple of points back in heat 13, it was Iversen, appropriately, who settled the outcome when he gave another lesson in gating in the penultimate heat to fashion a 4-2 and ensure his side of the match points.

Arena Essex: Rickardsson 11, Hurry 7+1, Havelock 5+1, Lanham 5+1, Povazhny 5, Swist 4+2, Larsen 4+1. 41pts.

Oxford: Iversen 15, Hancock 13+2, McGowan 10+1, Madsen 9, Dryml 2, Mills 0. 49pts.

World champion Jason Crump is in town tonight as Oxford Silver Machine host joint league leaders Belle Vue.

The Aces also boast British champion Joe Screen, who won the title at Oxford last year, and the way they are shaping up this year, the good times could be heading back to Manchester.

Oxford will track new signing Jesper Jensen as cover for the injured Hamill and will be buoyant after last night's triumph.