DUDLEY will take a 22 point lead to their KO Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday after a hard-fought 56-34 victory over King's Lynn at Monmore Green.

A bumper crowd was treated to a scintillating clash between the National League's two form sides with the table-topping Heathens eventually coming out on top.

A late surge including sensational 5-1s from Paul Starke and Lewis Blackbird in Heats 13 and 15 gave Dudley a healthy advantage ahead of the second leg - and boss Will Pottinger was thrilled with the performance.

He said: "It was a great performance for the boys and it's definitely a result which bodes well for the future.

"We started a little slowly but it worked out perfectly in the end, limiting when they could use a tactical ride before we pulled away in the closing stages.

"We were absolutely fantastic after the interval and it gives us a great chance ahead of the second leg.

"We know it's going to be tough with them having home track advantage but we have two tactical rides up our sleeve so we are confident of getting a good result to make it to the Final."

Lewis Blackbird scored another faultless paid maximum to lead the former Cradley club, once again forming a formidable top three with Paul Starke and Ashley Morris which accounted for nine race wins.

They received good support from No.2 Gareth Isherwood as he bagged 7+1 with a strong showing, whilst Dan Greenwood also continued his good form at reserve to bolster the lower order.

Teenage duo Max Clegg and Nathan Greaves did suffer frustrating evenings - with Clegg earning little reward following several close battles and being controversially excluded after Jake Knight fell in heat 14.

Yet the Heathens still had enough firepower to take a comfortable victory having notched 12 race wins and ran only five last places.

DUDLEY: Lewis Blackbird 14+1, Paul Starke 12+2, Ashley Morris 11, Dan Greenwood 9+1, Gareth Isherwood 7+1, Max Clegg 2+1, Nathan Greaves 1.

KING'S LYNN: Lewis Kerr 13, Jake Knight 8+2, Darren Mallett 5, Shane Hazelden 3+2, Robert Lambert 3, Shane Waldron 2, Lewis Rose R/R.