Kent Kings will take a five-point lead into the second leg of their National League play-off semi-final against Coventry Storm.

Kings were 49-44 winners in the first leg at Central Park on Monday night and while vice-captain David Mason was targeting a 15-point cushion, they still have a chance going into the return at Coventry on October 3.

Home No.2 Aaron Baseby set the tone in the opening heat by forcing himself into the lead in a tight first-bend tussle, ahead of Luke Priest and British under-19 champion Oliver Greenwood.

Kings built on their good start with a 5-1 maximum for reserves Danny Ayres and Jason Garrad in heat two.

Wins for Ben Morley (2), Ayres, captain Simon Lambert and Baseby helped Kent open up a 30-18 lead after eight heats.

But Coventry launched their fightback by taking the next three heats and returned to the Midlands as favourites to reach the final.

Four home riders - Baseby, Morley, Lambert and Ayres scored 10 points each - with three apiece for Benji Compton, Mason and Garrad.