CRADLEY pulled off an impressive late show to beat Coventry 52-38 and move onto level points with neighbours Birmingham at the top of the National League.

Just four points separated the two sides with three races to go, before three successive heat advantages ensured the Motor Market Heathens maintained their 100 per cent home record.

The hosts were inspired by the powerful heat-leader trio of Max Clegg, Ashley Morris and Luke Chessell once again as they bagged 40 of Cradley's 52 points between them.

Heathens co-promoter Gary Patchett said: "We were run pretty close and made to work hard in the first two thirds of the meeting but we're always confident of having a strong finish and that proved to be the case once more tonight.

"This team was built very top-heavy so there is that expectation of course but our top three lived up to the pressure again and it was another big win.

"We won by 14-points in the end but in all honesty it could and probably should have been by even more.

"But for a couple of slide-offs or mechanical problems when in heat advantage positions, we would have been much nearer 60.

"It's always nice to get one over Coventry and it's another important home win ahead of what is going to be a tough weekend on the road."

Both Max Clegg and Ashley Morris went unbeaten by an opposition rider and combined for match winning 5-1's in heats 13 and 15.

Clegg allowed Morris underneath him in both of those races after a perfect demonstration of team riding kept former Heathen Dan Greenwood in third.

Morris also broke the Monmore National League track record in a time of 55.31 in the opening heat.

Luke Chessell recovered from bike problems in his first outing to reel off three straight wins on another impressive night at No.3.

James Purchase made another solid contribution at reserve and will probably be slightly disappointed to miss out on his first double figure tally after dropping points when in scoring positions.

Ben Basford had another steady night in the main body of the team while Bradley Andrews endured a tough first night back from injury.

The Heathens travel to Eastbourne in the Travel Plus National League this Saturday before making the trip to Buxton in the Knockout Cup on Sunday.

CRADLEY 52: Max Clegg 16+2, Ashley Morris 15, Luke Chessell 9, James Purchase 7, Ben Basford 4+2, Bradley Andrews 1, Jack Kingston R/R.

COVENTRY 38: Dan Greenwood 11, Martin Knuckey 9+2, Conor Dwyer 7+4, Ryan Terry-Daley 7, Callum Walker 4+2, Kyle Roberts 0, Liam Carr R/R.