IT was a case of hero turned villain for Lee Dicken at Hull last night when Newport Wasps defeated Hull Vikings 50-39. . The East Yorkshire-based rider (pictured) was in scintillating form for Newport and a last-heat victory over home-heat leaders Paul Thorp and Garry Stead ensured the aggregate bonus point will be heading to South Wales if, as expected, last week's 45-45 draw at Hayley Stadium is switched to a 52-38 Newport victory.

Wasps promoter Tim Stone is adamant the use of Chris Neath as guest for the absent Ross Brady was illegal, but last night said he would have no objection if it was decided a re-run should be ordered rather than Neath's points being deducted.

Stone said: "Chris Neath should not have ridden and the result has to be changed. I just want it put right but I would be willing to a re-run in the interests of the sport." The fact Newport are still in with a chance of the bonus point was down to captain Craig Watson and Dicken.

With Roger Lobb deputising for knee injury victim Ben Howe and rider-replacement used for Scott Smith, the Wasps were depleted but still put up a superb show. Dicken, who received a hero's welcome on his return to Craven Park a year after being released, proved a thorn in the home side.

He got it right with an impressive 11-point haul, including his memorable last-heat victory. Stone said: "Sometimes you see a rider go back to his old track so fired up that he overdoes things. "Lee was all keyed up, but Neil Street had a word with him and he channelled everything in the right direction."

Dicken made a slow start with just one point from his opening two rides. It was left to Watson to show the way with three straight victories.

But as the captain faded, Dicken took over. He finished second to Stead in his rider-replacement outing and then won an awarded race after twice tangling with Jamie Smith. That left him facing the boos of the home fans on his return to the pits and again throughout his tactical substitute ride that brought defeat by Brady.

But he had the fans cheering him again after a superb battle with Thorp and Stead that saw him first pass the home captain and then hold off their twin attacks.

"I couldn't find a quick part of the track, but then tried the white line and it worked. Eric Boocock (Hull manager) always told me to block the fence when I was in front and that's what I did - even though the Hull lads didn't like it," Dicken said.

Newport face Sheffield Tigers tonight, Hull's Brady guests for Howe and Smith faces a late fitness test.

Hull: Thorp 10 +2 (5), Smith 3 +2 (4), Kessler 10 (4), Brady 7 +2 (4), Stead 13 (5), Branney 0 (3), Smethills 7 (5). Newport: Watson 11 (6), Dicken 11 (6), Lobb 7 +1 (5), Smith r/r, Smart 6 (5), Evans 2 (4), Wilkinson 2 +1 (4).