CRADLEY bosses have described their top four finish in the National League as a massive achievement.

The Anchor Logistics Heathens were late entrants to the third tier over the winter and were well behind the rest of the league when it came to team planning.

But Mildenhall’s failure to take maximum points at Plymouth on Thursday saw the former Dudley Wood outfit sneak into the play-offs by a solitary point.

They will now take on regular league leaders Leicester in the Semi-Finals with the home leg taking place at Birmingham’s Perry Barr Stadium on Wednesday, October 2 (7.30) due to a lack of available dates at Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green.

The return leg is at Leicester on Saturday October 5 with a 5.30 start as the first part of a double header with Stoke in a cup tie - Leicester are contemplating ways to offer value for Heathens fans and an update will be issued in due course.

Boss Will Pottinger said: “The odds were stacked against us from day one following another eventful winter for the club.

“But for me that makes our top four finish even more impressive and full credit to all of the Heathens riders for getting us there.

“Leicester will be favourites over the two legs but that’s the beauty of Speedway, particularly with all of the high drama and tension that the play-offs carry – anything can happen.

“Of course it’s a shame we can’t ride our home leg at Monmore Green – but there simply aren’t any available dates and they need to be raced with enough time for the Grand Finalists to arrange two further dates also.

“But we thank David Mason at Birmingham for letting us ride at Perry Barr and hopefully the fans will turn out in force and give the riders the support they deserve.”