NEIL Hodgson's season-long duel with Chris Walker for the British Superbike crown looks set to go down to the wire after the pair shared the honours at Cadwell Park.

The 26-year-old Burnley rider drew first blood by taking victory in the opening race, but Walker responded with a win in the second leg.

The result leaves Hodgson maintaining his slender one-point advantage over Walker with three rounds to go.

Despite setting fastest time in practice, polesitter Hodgson could do nothing about Walker's trademark lightning start, with the INS Ducati trailing the Suzuki for the opening eight laps.

But the championship leader made his move on lap nine, passing Walker on the approach to Park corner.

"I hung on by the skin of my teeth," said Hodgson afterwards.

"I could feel a few spots of rain during those last few laps, but I knew that if I backed off Chris would have me." A last lap thriller decided the winner of the second race, with backmarkers playing a major part in the outcome. Cresting the Mountain for the final time, leader Hodgson tried to squeeze past three slower riders, including his own team-mate, Niall Mackenzie.

But Walker threw caution to the wind and took the damper, inside line at the hairpin to force his way past the Ducati duo and steal the win from under Hodgson's nose.

"Passing one backmarker through Hall bends is difficult, but three is impossible, especially when one is your team-mate," said Hodgson.

"I didn't think Chris would be able to stop for the corner, but obviously he did! But it was a really good race."

Results, race one: 1: Neil Hodgson (Ducati); 2: Chris Walker (Suzuki); 3: James Haydon (Ducati). Race two: 1: Walker; 2: Hodgson; 3: Haydon.

Championship standing: 1: Hodgson (329 points); 2: Walker (328); 3: James Haydon.

Hoddlesden's Darren Barton finished third in the British 250cc race.