PRESTON slipped to third in the Northern Premier League behind Darwen and Morecambe after a seven wicket defeat at Darwen.

The home team's West Indies professional Keith Semple helped restrict Preston to 117 taking six wickets for just 35 runs.

Shah was top scorer for Preston with 51 but Darwen reached the target with seven wickets to spare.

Leyland were hammered at home to Netherfield losing by 131 runs after being shot out for 72 in reply to a target of 203. South African professional Pieter Strydom top scored for the visitors with 74. Leyland Motors managed to hang on for a draw taking three points at St Annes.

On Saturday Preston are at home to Lancaster while Motors host Darwen and Leyland visit Morecambe.

Northern Premier League results in full: (*batted first)

Division One: *Blackpool 174/3, Morecambe 178/4, 3-12 pts; Darwen 118/3, *Preston 117, 12-1 pts; *Kendal 116, Fleetwood 99, 15-4 pts; Lancaster 225/9, *Chorley 239/6, 6-11 pts; Leyland 72, *Netherfield 203/7, 3-15 pts; *St Annes 185/6, Leyland Motors 116/7, 10-3 pts.

Division Two: Chorley 169/6, *Lancaster 168, 12-4 pts; Fleetwood 128/8, *Kendal 162/6, 3-9 pts; Leyland Motors 158/8, *St Annes 204/6, 4-10 pts; Morecambe 156/8, *Blackpool 152/9, 12-4 pts; Netherfield 266/3, Leyland 83, 15-1 pts; *Preston 145/7, Darwen 146/6, 3-12 pts.