RISHTON duly set the record no-one wanted by losing a 15th straight Lancashire League game on Saturday, but then finally stopped the rot with a thrilling first success of the summer over fellow strugglers Accrington at Blackburn Road yesterday.

Typically, though, they did it the hard way before finally holding their nerve to collect a 12-run win thanks to an ininngs of 96 from opener Darren Eccles and a seven-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Colin Sibley.

"It was a big relief, which you could see at the end. It was like we'd won the cup," said Rishton captain Jonathan Dobson.

"We got the record on Saturday, which we probably deserved. But nobody wants to go through that.

"It's great to get off the mark and hopefully we can go on and get a few more wins before the end of the season.

"We've had some better performances lately and hopefully we can build on this."

Eccles shared a 79-run stand with Sean Wyse and then added another 46 with Richard Rostron before falling four short of a century after facing 118 balls and hitting nine fours and a six as Rishton posted a total of 227-5.

That looked certain to bring the victory they desperately wanted when Accrington were reduced to 105-5.

But Matt Wilson revived Accrington with an excellent 62 off just 65 balls with fours sixes and four fours.

And even when he fell to Sibley with the score on 166, the visitors refused to throw in the towel.

Adam Barnes and James Hayhurst threatened to dash Rishton hopes, Hayhurst hitting professional Rob Nicol for a huge six to get the target down to 21 off the last two overs.

However, Damian Clarke was then run out going for a second and when Sibley trapped Steve Juliff in front first ball, the long wait was over.

"I did fear the worst at one point, but we stuck in there. It would have been so disappointing to have lost with a 90-odd and a seven-for," Dobson added.

Lowerhouse knocked Rishton off top spot after a dramatic finale at their Liverpool Road ground.

Bacup were in confident mood after hitting 250 in the first innings - professional Shaun Young top scoring with 79. But Lowerhouse, smarting after defeat at home to Rawtenstall the day before, burst out of the starting blocks courtesy of Jon Finch and sub professional Paul Hitchcock, despite the early demise of Qasim Ali for nought.

Finch's frustration was evident when he was caught behind for 104 but Joe Beneduce, Chris Blezard and Matt Hope eventually wrapped up the win, with Hope hitting a four in the last over.

Todmorden and Nelson were neck and neck after both sides were bowled out for 125 following a Saturday afternoon of mixed fortunes.

Nelson were beaten at home to Ramsbottom on Saturday, while Todmorden enjoyed a home win over Burnley courtesy of Stuart Priestley (51) and paid man Gyan Pandey (41). That was the start of a miserable weekend for Burnley, who were bowled out for 178 at Rawtenstall 24 hours later.

Church made amends for their nine-wicket defeat at at Haslingden on Saturday with yesterday's 10-point haul at Ramsbottom.

Church were set a target of 229 but they were more than up to the task, largely thanks to Keith Semple, who was sub professional after paid man Greg Mail sustained a back injury on Saturday.

Martin van Jaarsveld returned to Enfield from his one-day international duty with South Africa and hit 147 off 136 balls.

But John Turner (52 from 84 balls) and Phil Mercer (an unbeaten 50 from 52 deliveries) responded well for an East Lancs win.