Stellar Monarchs have a mountain to climb if they want to progress to the final of the BSN Series after skidding to a 49-40 defeat on their own shale.
The sides were level at 12-12 after four heats but Scorpions edged 16-14 ahead in the next and won race six 4-2 to move four in front at 20-16.
The home side halved the deficit with a 4-2 in Heat Nine but a 5-1 from Scunthorpe two races later moved Scorpions 36-30 ahead and a 4-2 in Heat 13 extended that advantage to 42-35.
A 3-3 draw in the penultimate heat was followed by a 4-2 win for Scorpions in the final race and the return is at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday, September 6.
Josh Pickering (pictured) topped the individual scoring for the home side with11 and Justin Sedgmen, making his comeback after a knee injury, scored six after completing only two races, winning both.
He lifted coming out of the second bend on the second lap while third in Heat 11 and clipped an opposition riders wheel before falling. He walked back to the pits but nook no further part, complaining of a hand injury.
Michael Palm Toft was best for the visitors with 12 and Jake Allen was next best with ten in this BSN Series semi-final, first-leg.
Monarchs: Josh Pickering 11, Kye Thomson 6, Lasse Fredriksen 3, Paco Castagna 7, Justin Sedgmen 6, Max James 2, Connor Coles 5
Scorpions: Michael Palm Toft 12, Connor Mountain 5, Simon Lambert 4, Jake Allen 10, Kyle Howarth 9, Nathan Ablitt 4, Luke Harrison 5
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