Morecambe 220-5 Preston 159-8

PRESTON hung on for a draw as Morecambe's failure to clinch victory cost them in their bid to keep the pressure on at the top of the Northern Premier League.

Morecambe last week moved to within a point of leaders and reigning champions Netherfield.

But the gap is up to four points now, although still extremely tight, and St Annes have moved in to second place with a victory over Lancaster, who continue to struggle at second from bottom of the table.

Morecambe professional Amol Muzumdar put in a fantastic performance to hit an excellent 106.

The batsman from Pakistan set his side on the way to an impressive total of 220 for five, with capable support from Woodhead, Thornton, Singh and Bird.

They appeared to have Preston on the back foot when opener Parekh was out LBW by Stephens for a duck.

More quick wickets followed, but, despite the pressure Morecambe put on, Preston were able to cling on for a share of the drawn game, finishing at 159 for eight.

Meanwhile Chorley picked up 12 points from this derby win in what was a low-scoring game played on a poor pitch with some controversial decisions.

Choosing to bat first on winning the toss, Motors' innings was soon in trouble as Marquet ripped out openers Aspinall and Makinson with just six runs scored.

Catterall and Howarth then compiled the inning's biggest partnership of 41 before both were dismissed with the total on 47, Catterall edging behind and Howarth run out by Patel.

On a pitch which has seen a host of sub-100 scores, Motors eventually reached 126, mainly thanks to Cummings 26 in a partnership of 31 with Iddon.

A couple of dropped catches didn't help Chorley's cause but Purnell wrapped up the home side's innings with two wickets off successive balls to leave a target apparently well within their grasp.

Chorley's reply was led by Bannister's 45 before he received a debatable lbw decision to make the score 76/2.

Heaton then got an even worse lbw decision to a delivery he looked to have hit and, after Fazackerley had flashed a catch to keeper Iddon, Horridge became the third lbw victim of the innings.

Patel though cracked a couple of boundaries to seal the win despite professional John's marathon spell of four for 60 from 27 overs.