BJARNE Pedersen admitted Pirates face a "tough task" to retain the Craven Shield after they fell five points behind Coventry in the first leg of the final last night.

But Poole Castle Cover's captain, whose side amassed 35 points in comparison to the Bees' 40 and Swindon's 33, defiantly stressed: "We're not out of it yet.

"It looks a little bit difficult but you always have to keep your heads up and I will be keeping the boys' heads up in the pits.

"Yes, it looks tough, but you never know what can happen in speedway.

"We will go to Swindon for the second leg and enjoy it because there will be no pressure on us.

"It only takes one or two races to go our way, though, and that can change things.

"That's what we will be hoping will happen in our favour at Blunsdon.

"There are still two meetings in the final to go and we just need to be up for it in both of them and score as many points as we can."

Coventry, chasing a treble after lifting the league title and fixing up a KO Cup final date against Swindon, installed themselves as favourites to prise the Craven Shield away from holders Poole.

Pedersen said: "They look strong from one to six, or seven.

"We knew it would be tough to beat them over the three legs of the shield and we won't give up trying until after the last race at Coventry on Friday."

Talking about his own maximum, Pedersen said: "Everything went well for me. I changed a few things on the bike and it worked.

"It is not the first or the last time I'll get a maximum because I'm paid to beat riders like Leigh Adams, Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris. I was gating good and that was probably the key for me because it is never easy from the back."

Pirates bring in Ritchie Hawkins for Tai Woffinden tonight, while Swindon use Stead instead of injured Lee Richardson at Blunsdon. The Bees are unchanged.

Freddie Lindgren replaces Richardson for Swindon at Coventry tomorrow with Steve Boxall lining up for Poole instead of Hawkins.