EAST Lancs cut the gap at the top of the Transco Lancashire League table to two points with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Accrington.

The victory was never in doubt with East Lancs bowlers Nasser Iqbal and Ian Howarth in scintillating form, taking five wickets apiece as Accrington were bowled out for a miserable 72.

Only pro Tama Canning offered any real resistance with 45 before he became one of Iqbal's victims - but special praise must go to wicket keeper Matthew Egan who took four catches.

In reply openers Andy Clague (23) and Phil Bolton (27) got East Lancs off to a vital start and sub pro David Callaghan chipped in with an unbeaten 20 to surpass the total with ease. These bonus points could be crucial with just the double header next weekend remaining as East Lancs keep the pressure on leaders Bacup.

Burnley remain in third spot after recording their seventh win in nine games - and the other two games were rained off.

The Turf Moor side have not lost since the first week in July and, after finishing bottom last time out, it has been a good summer at Turf Moor.

Burnley finished on 187-7 against Todmorden yesterday, David Brown the hero with an unbeaten 71 with Ian Whitehead also chipping in with a valuable 41.

Todmorden were always playing catch-up especially when usually prolific opener Richard Baigent was out for a duck. Only Brian Heywood's 38 pulled the score on but three wickets by Stephen Holden and four from professional Dale Benkenstein meant Todmorden fell 72 runs short.

Haslingden scored a two-wicket win over Church with just three balls to spare thanks to a half-century from Mike Ingham (58) and 30 from professional Ian Austin.

Church had reached 184 thanks to 52 from Craig Fergusson and a half century from Alec Holt. Austin and Zabir Intiaz took two wickets each before Austin weighed in with the bat.

Simon Lord and Nick Riley put together a match-winning partnership to guide Ramsbottom to success against bottom club Nelson.

The third wicket stand of 101 - with Riley top scoring with 52 - lay the foundations for a solid Ramsbottom innings after pro Brad Hodge chipped in with 30.

The Aussie then went on to take six wickets to round off a successful day -- unlike Nelson's stand-in paid man, Akram Raiza of Read, who finished with no wickets and made just nine runs.

Lincoln Marshall was Nelson's top performer with the bat with the opener hitting 74 before becoming one of Hodge's victims.

Martin Van Jaarsveld moved to within 119 runs of Conrad Hunt's 1952 record for most runs in a season -- although Enfield slipped to defeat against Rishton.

The South African hit 49 runs to take his season's total to 1319. However, Enfield were bowled out for 160. Peter Sleep gave Rishton the perfect reply with 37 before quick knocks of 25 and 36 from Clinton Perren and Russell Whalley respectively guided Rishton to victory.

Lowerhouse reached a massive 298 against Rawtenstall - and lost the game.

Stand-in pro for Lowerhouse Mike Rindell -- who plays for the same Birmingham side as Wasim Akram played for - scored 165 with the bat in 107 balls as he and Nick Hope (52) put on 215 for the first wicket.

Rawtenstall came out fighting and their pro Matthew Mott - Lowerhouse's prime target - hit four sixes and 19 fours to reach 161. Lowerhouse will feel he was lucky to survive a caught behind decision while still in single figures.

Peter Hanson (65) and Cook-Martin (40) made sure of the runs to make it a remarkable victory.