KIDDERMINSTER Cobras could take plenty of positives from a narrow 71-70 defeat to Wolverhampton after their brave fight-back fell just short.

With Wolves one of the tips for the title, Cobras did well to run them so close and can go into their next clash at Redditch Regents with confidence.

The game seemed over at the end of the third quarter with the home side 16 points adrift.

But a superb recovery led by John Jackson saw Cobras take the lead with only 20 seconds on the clock.

Hearts were broken, however, when with just two seconds the visitors scored from a hook shot to clinch a dramatic victory.

Roy Francis was man of the match.

Quarter Scores: 19-19, 14-22 (33-41), 12-20 (45-61) 25-10 (70-71).

Scorers: John Jackson 19, Roy Francis 15, Mark Davis 9, Mark Bonshor 7, Martin Usherwood 7, Mark Thornhill 5, Richard Miszkowski 4, Paul Phelps 2, Matt Law 2.