PROMOTER Matt Ford insists Poole Pirates still have it all to do if they are to successfully defend their Elite League crown.

Neil Middleditch’s patched-up troops returned to Dorset with a healthy three-point advantage following last night’s rain-disrupted 37-34 victory at Coventry in the Elite League Grand Final first leg.

Having won the final three heats 4-2, Ford felt Pirates might have gone on to build an even bigger lead had the meeting not been abandoned after 12 heats due to heavy rain at Brandon.

And while a slender lead from the away leg has put Poole firmly in the box seat, Ford remains wary of a Coventry outfit who came back from 12 points down with five heats to go to win at Wimborne Road in May.

Ford told Poole’s official website: "We saw King's Lynn make things difficult for us in the semi-final and I believe Coventry will do the same on Monday. They have won at our place this season and Havvy (Coventry manager Gary Havelock) will have them fired up for sure.

"Don't get me wrong, I would rather have a three-point lead than trail by three points but there is little cushion there and we have absolutely everything to go for in the second leg."

Ford continued: "I was pleased with the way the lads kept things tight and had the meeting gone the full distance, perhaps we would have had an even bigger lead. We tend to get stronger as meetings progress.

"But, three points it is and I can only hope we will be blessed with some fine weather, an enthusiastic crowd and a good night's entertainment (on Monday)."

Pirates are in Zielona Gora, Poland for the World Speedway League tonight (5pm BST) with just two members of their regular side – stand-in skipper Maciej Janowski and Shamek Pawlicki – in the five-man team.

Leon Madsen, Grzegorz Walasek and Tomas H Jonasson make up Poole’s quintet to take on the 2013 champions of Poland, Sweden and Denmark – Zielona Gora, Piraterna and Esbjerg.

Troy Batchelor will again take Darcy Ward’s place at number one in Monday’s second leg against Coventry, while Nick Morris guests for the injured Josh Grajczonek.

Ford is waiting on an injury update from reserve Benji Compton.