A MAGNIFICENT century followed by two timely wickets by Fleetwood's Indian professional Abbas Ali earned the home side an exciting victory over Lancaster at Broadwater on Monday (May 1).

Ali scored 105 out of the 177 total and then struck with the ball, his second wicket coming with just two overs and three balls of the tense game remaining and with Lancaster within touching distance of a win.

Going to the crease when Fleetwood were in dire straits at 3-2, Ali scored 105 from 121 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

Mark Wilkinson had played on for nought and Michael Clinning was run out for one when Ali started his onslaught. He lost skipper John Wright leg before wicket to Barnes for 12 at 44 but then added 53 with a determined Michael Dewhurst for the fourth wicket. Dewhurst eventually fell for 11 but Ali went to his hundred in the grand manner, striking fellow professional Gareth Breese for four and six.

Eleven from Andy Cooper and 15 from Pat King helped Fleetwood to their 177 all out total.

Lancaster started well as Heywood and Dennison put on 60 for the first wicket before Alex Laird, in his first over, removed Heywood to a Keith Riley catch for 24.

Dennison went on to make 56 from 112 balls with six fours but thereafter only Breese, 19, and Luke Phillips, 30, managed double figures as the Fleetwood bowlers, led by Neil Gregson's 5-60, whittled out the remaining batsmen.

Ali's most important wicket was that of Barnes who he bowled for a duck with Lancaster 164 all out, 13 runs short of their target.