Workington Comets matched their powerful visitors Poole Pirates in their BSN Series Cup semi-final at Northside.
But the 45-45 scoreline was nowhere near what the Comets needed after going down by 28 points in Dorset 10 days earlier.
It gave the Pirates an aggregate win of 104-76 and a place in the final.
Any hopes of a shock Workington win had disappeared by heat seven by which time the Pirates had opened up a 23-19 lead and were virtually over the finishing line.
Although the Comets had managed three 4-2s in those races their visitors had racked up two 5-1s and a 4-2, and with one shared heat were in charge of the match.
But the Comets did have their moments and there were some solid contributions from the usual suspects.
Troy Batchelor again finished as Comets top scorer with 12 points which included three race wins, the last in a thrilling heat 15.
A contender for race of the season the last race of the afternoon was won by Batchelor after a great battle with Tom Brennan.
It was even better because Antti Vuolas took the Poole rider on the inside to grab second and the subsequent 5-1 gave Workington an honourable draw on the day.
The Comets version of the Flying Finn collected 10 points on the day from a win, three seconds and a third in his first outing.
Skipper Cook won two of his four rides and finished with nine points from his four outings.
Both of the guests Jye Etheridge and Jason Edwards each finished with five points but each of them managed to win a race.
At reserve Workington were outscored 9-4 with Sam McGurk and Paul Starke managing just four third places between them.
This was always going to be a tough ask against a very strong Poole side and it was to the Comets’ credit that they did enough for the draw on the day.
Their thoughts will turn now to the Championship and a win over Plymouth next Saturday should be good enough to clinch fourth place.
The only downside – it might mean another two legged clash with Poole.
Workington Comets 45 (76): Craig Cook 9; Jye Etheridge 5; Antti Vuolas 10+1; Jason Edwards 5; Troy Batchelor 12; Sam McGurk 1; Paul Starke 3+2.
Poole Pirates 45 (104): Richard Lawson 7; Sam Hagon 3+2; Ben Cook 9; Zach Cook 7+1; Tom Brennan 10; Tobias Thomsen 5; Ben Trigger 4+1.
