PRESTON'S Northern Premier League form continued to improve as they beat Blackpool by four wickets.

Blackpool won the toss and decided to bat but, among the early batsman, only Richard Lamb (28) looked at ease.

Blackpool were in deep trouble at 59-4 but David Bartholomew -- top scorer with 32 -- shared in a stand of 42 with captain Mark Lomas (28).

And another stand of 36 with Darren Walton to give the score a more respectable look.

They were eventually bowled out for 158 in the final over, with Preston's Manoj Parekh taking five wickets for 36.

In reply Preston appeared to be heading for defeat as they stumbled to 54-4.

But then a fifth-wicket partnership between Pervez Shah (60 not out) and professional Raoul Akbar (32) put them in a winning position.

Preston then went on to a comfortable victory with a score of 162-6.

Leyland were beaten by six wickets by Fleetwood despite attaining a respectable total of 212.

Meanwhile Leyland Motors wre lucky to escape with a draw at Lancaster after finishing on 88-7 chasing a target of 152.

SCORE: Blackpool 158 Preston 162/6