MORECAMBE overcame a poor start to Saturday's game against Blackpool at Woodhill Lane to manage an impressive draw.

Third placed Blackpool pinned them down to 23-3 in the early stages of their innings.

But commanding batting from professional Ashwell Prince with 48 and captain Phil Thornton with 55 brought them along to an impressive total of 227 for 7. They defied Blackpool's fearsome pace attack, though both eventually found themselves caught out. Blackpool never recovered from losing both openers for ducks as Stephens struck twice early on. And Morecambe looked set to win the game as Blackpool's first five batsmen barely managed to scrape into double figures between them. However, Rudra Singh managed to defy the bowlers with 24 before being bowled by Eccles and professional Marcus Sharp, helped by Steve Mercer, dragged the innings out to end on 95 for 8. But Blackpool managed to salvage only two points from the game, with Morecambe claiming a winning draw. The result leaves Morecambe bang in the middle of the table, while Blackpool allowed league leaders Netherfield and reigning champions Darwen to go further ahead at the top of the table. Lancaster travelled to Windsor Park to take on Chorley. The home side batted first and the Chorley opener Iqbal Patel got them off to a fine start, making 57 before falling victim to an impressive bowling performance by Lancaster's Danny Jordan.

Jordan took a useful 5 for 55, and he also claimed the wicket of Chorley's top scorer on the day, James Fazackerley, who made a quickfire 91, including three sixes and 12 fours. Chorley set Lancaster a stiff target of 234 for 9. Lancaster made a shaky start, with openers Taylor and Hagen going cheaply. Put, professional Breese came to the rescue, steering his side to a total of 187 for 5. The South African all-rounder managed to bag himself a useful 63 not out.