MATT Ford has called for Pirates to remain "totally focused", with the team in pole position going into tonight's Elite League Knockout Cup semi-final second leg.

Poole Castle Cover approach the Wimborne Road meeting against Coventry on the back of an enthralling 45-45 draw at Brandon on Monday night, and are likely to be considered firm favourites to progress.

But co-promoter Ford, who praised the club's riders for their "solid team effort" in the first leg, believes Pirates need to be on guard if they are to avoid an upset on home territory.

"I think Neil (Middleditch) and I said that while it was a good result and one we'd have taken at the start - to get a draw at a really competitive Coventry team - it's only half-time and the job is only half done," he told the Daily Echo.

"Nothing is secured and Coventry are very capable of coming to our place and winning."

Ford pinpointed Bees duo Hans Andersen and Chris Harris as the main dangers to his side's final hopes.

He said: "Hans Andersen has already led a Peterborough side to victory at Wimborne Road and Chris Harris likewise with Ipswich.

"The personnel in that team have tasted victory and we've got to be totally focused."

The Pirates chief admits it would be nice to bag some silverware from what has so far been a fine season for the club.

"It is the sport's equivalent of the FA Cup and to get to the final would be wonderful," he told the Daily Echo.

"It's been a fairly quiet couple of years. While the club has continued to be competitive, we've not won much."

Reflecting on his riders' efforts in the first leg at Brandon, Ford added: "It was a solid team effort and I wouldn't want to pick anyone out.

"It was a really encouraging, professional performance by the boys and we clearly want to achieve with this team."

Ford, meanwhile, was keeping his fingers crossed that Pirates' riders came through last night's Swedish league meetings unscathed.

The majority of the club's stars were expected to be in action.