POOLE Pirates charger Dakota North has been ruled out of tomorrow's Elite League play-off semi-final on compassionate grounds after his father was hospitalised by a work accident in Australia.

Team manager Neil Middleditch revealed the Aussie number three had learned of dad Rod North’s plight prior to his scoreless appearance in Friday's 45-45 first-leg draw at Coventry.

North senior, an acclaimed speedway rider in the UK who rode for Poole in 1982, is understood to be undergoing surgery in his homeland with doctors advising his son to sit out the scond leg at Wimborne Road. 

Edward Kennett, a guest for Poole in last season's play-off semi-final second leg against King's Lynn, steps in on a 5.86 average but must take North's position in the team – number three – despite Davey Watt boosting his average to more than seven points by the end of the season.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Unfortunately, Dak’s father had a nasty accident out in Australia so he has a lot on his mind, which we didn’t know prior to the meeting (on Friday). Understandably, he hadn’t got his head in the right place.

“Hopefully, his dad will be okay but he is in hospital having operations so that is a big worry for Dak. Of course, everyone at the club wishes Dak and his family all the best and will give any support we can.

“It is a difficult time for him with his father being 12,000 miles away and Dak not being able to do much about it."

Meanwhile, Middleditch admitted to mixed feelings about the stalemate at Brandon after Pirates had established an eight-point lead with two heats to go.

Danny King and Hans Andersen teamed up for a heat-14 maximum before repeating the trick having been put out for the nominated race against Poole’s big-hitters Maciej Janowski and Chris Holder.

“If you had offered me a draw at the start of the night I would have taken your arm off but to gain that sort of lead and throw it away was frustrating,” added Middleditch.

“Having said that, I am very happy with the result. It was better than we could have expected.”