LEAD
The confusion arises because the noun 'lead' (rhymes with bed) is spelt identically to the verb 'lead'. (The noun 'lead' is of course the name of a soft heavy toxic metallic element.) As a consequence, some writers use 'lead' when they mean 'led'.
To add to the confusion, 'lead' (rhymes with bead) also exists as a noun. A dog's lead, for example. Therefore, you have to rely on context.
(Without context, it is impossible to know whether 'lead' in this example rhymes with bead or bed.)
