Kent Kings' Knockout Cup hopes are in the balance after a 50-40 defeat in the home leg of their quarter-final tie against Stoke Potters on Monday night.

Potters - the only visiting side to have won in the National League at Central Park this season - found the track to their liking again.

Former Kent rider Adam Kirby helped Potters to victory with a paid nine as the in-form visitors won 10 of the 15 heats.

Kings held a slender 22-20 lead going into a controversial heat eight that saw three re-runs, with Kirby lucky to escape exclusion after an incident with Aaron Baseby.

Simon Lambert (12) and David Mason (7+2) top-scored for Kent but new signing Jason Garrad failed to register a point on his debut.

The return leg at Stoke is on Saturday, July 5.

Kings return to National League action with a home match against play-off rivals King's Lynn Young Stars on Monday night (6.30pm).