WORCESTER Wolves returned to winning ways in nail-biting fashion on Sunday as they held their nerve to edge past Teeside Lions 65-64 in the National Basketball League Division Two.

Defying a three-game losing skid and a slew of injuries, Wolves had to dig deep to move their NBL Division Two record to four wins and five losses.

Following the long trip north, playmaker Peter Palmer notched seven early points to push Worcester 10-6 ahead by the eighth minute of the match but the back-and-forth nature of the contest saw the teams held together at 14-14 by the close of the first quarter.

Lions had moved 24-19 in front at midway through the second period before Palmer stole the ball to set up a Humberto Ferreira basket and then pulled up from the outside to re-establish a level game.

Akai Rose joined the action to take over point-guard duties, debuting on the scoresheet before aiding Emmanuel Yeboah to reach double-figure scoring and the visitors went back into the changing rooms 34-27 up at the break.

The opening seven points of the second half all went the way of the hosts to produce another even score-line after three minutes had elapsed, before taking the lead as both sides traded baskets.

James Harrop stepped up to break the latest deadlock in the game's final couple of minutes and when Eben Effah slammed the ball through the hoop for a 63-58 cushion, it looked as if Wolves may have sealed the win.

But lively Lions forward Luca Gaillet drew matters back to 63-61 with 17 seconds remaining before Effah held his nerve to slot in a couple of free throws and ultimately seal the victory.

Teesside’s young Frenchman sank a three-pointer to leave his side just a single point in arrears with only five seconds to play but Worcester were able to see out the last ticks of the clock and clinch a much-needed victory.

Palmer shone in the statistics with a 19 point, ten rebounds double-double display. Effah and Ferreira narrowly missed grabbing the same honour when recording 9/10 and 7/9 points/rebounds performances respectively. Yeboah contributed 14 points to the scoring.

Wolves return to the University of Worcester Arena next Saturday 09 December (tip-off 7.30pm), when they welcome title-contending Manchester Magic to the city.