Smart finished third in last week's Golden Hammer

Dudley Heathens have their sights set on a successful end to the season as they host Buxton in the first leg of the National League semi-final.

The Hitmen have already tasted success at Monmore Green in the last four of the Knockout Cup.

"We beat them earlier in the season, but a couple of weeks ago what could go wrong did go wrong really," Heathens team boss Will Pottinger told BBC WM.

"We've all got to chip in and hopefully everybody's ready and focused."

The key to the meeting will be the head-to-head of the club's number one riders - Dudley's Lee Smart and Buxton's Craig Cook.

Lee (Smart) and Craig (Cook) are at the level where they're too good for this league Heathens boss Will Pottinger

The duo did battle a week ago in the Golden Hammer individual meeting at Monmore Green, both pipped to the title by King's Lynn's Simon Lambert - leaving Pottinger very wary of Cook's track expertise.

"He's got better with every ride he's had there this year - both Lee and Craig are probably at the level where they're too good for this league and they won't be riding in it next year.

"They're arguably the top riders in the National League, so the clashes between that pair should be worth watching."

Buxton will be without Jonathan Bethell for the first leg and will use the rider replacement facility.

The second leg is in Derbyshire on Sunday 17 October, a week after the return fixture in the Knockout Cup.

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