HASLINGDEN took the honours in the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League derby with BACUP yesterday -- and changed the course of the title race once again.

Their three-wicket win moved Haslingden into third and dropped Bacup, who suffered their third consecutive defeat since leading the table by 13 points three weeks ago, a place below them.

Sub pro Doug Marillier took 6-58 in reducing Bacup to 143 and although the Fleetwood paid man was out for a duck in the Haslingden reply, skipper Paul Blackledge saw his side home with 50.

Pro Chris Simpson starred for Bacup with 68 and 5-63 but lacked support as they lost to their rivals for the first time in five years.

CHURCH remain the league leaders after taking maximum points at TODMORDEN. Mark Aspin made 46, pro Ruvin Peiris 45 and Alec Holt 28 not out in their total of 228-8, which was too daunting for the hosts.

Philip Gilrane took four wickets and Nick Westwell chipped in with three as they slumped to 142 all out.

The win puts Church eight points clear of RAMSBOTTOM, who take over second spot following their three-wicket win at RAWTENSTALL.

Sub pro Adil Nisar contributed two wickets, while there were three each for Chris Eardley and Mick Haslam as Rawtenstall were reduced to 94-8.

A late rally from Paul Bingham and John Dawson took them to 148 all out, but Ramsbottom were guided home by John Harrison's 41.

LOWERHOUSE drifted further from the title picture as RISHTON pulled off a 49-run win.

Blackburn Northern pro Gareth Flusk took 5-41 as Lowerhouse fell to 153 all out. Rishton set a target of 201, mainly thanks to Richard Rostron's unbeaten 52.

The hopes of NELSON were also dealt a blow as they lost to ACCRINGTON, whose pro Tama Canning made 70 not out as they reached their target of 147 for the loss of six wickets.

Damian Clarke's 3-40 helped restrict Nelson's batsmen, with Paul Garaghty making the biggest impact, 48 not out.

Mark Lomas hit 92 not out and Hugh Doyle took 7-49 helped EAST LANCS to a first league win since May 29 over BURNLEY.

East Lancs made 226-5 but despite resistance from captain Ben Law with 54 and Andy Beet's late 24, Burnley only managed 191.

COLNE shrugged off the loss of Andre Adams with a win over ENFIELD, who were dismissed for 196. Sub pro Paras Mhambrey and Qasim Ali took four wickets each then Matt Wilson's 39 helped steer Colne home with three wickets to spare.