Kent Kings missed out on a place in the National League speedway play-off final after a brave effort at Coventry Storm.

Few gave Kings a chance of defending their five-point advantage from the first leg of the semi-finals but on a bruising night of falls, they were a centimetre away from setting up a final-heat decider.

Danny Ayres and Ben Morley looked set to deliver the one-two needed to keep the tie alive but Coventry's Dan Greenwood pinched second place from Morley on the line.

Skipper Simon Lambert scored 12 points for Kings while reserve Ayres finished with a paid 11, stepping up to the mark after a crash on heat three ended vice-captain David Mason's night.

Coventry's 54-38 success on Friday gave them an aggregate victory of 98-87 but Kings can be proud of their efforts.

Co-promoter Len Silver said: "It has been a great effort by the whole team.

"If I’d told supporters this time last year that this season we’d make the top four and come so close to getting to the play-off final few people would've believed me – which shows how far we've come in a short space of time.

"The team building has worked well and we need to look at how we can keep this winning formula for next season.

"With more sides joining the National League it’s a very exciting time and we’ll be working hard to keep a very competitive squad."

Kent finish their season with the Tunnel Trophy challenge match against Arena Essex Young Hammers at Central Park on Friday.