DEPLETED Lancaster put on a great Surridge Northern Cricket League show against high-flying Fleetwood - but couldn't manage to get a deserved win at Lune Road.

The Bombers were missing several first team regulars for the clash with a solid Fleetwood side.

But the young guard once again showed the future at Lancaster may just be quite bright.

Chasing Fleetwood's 227, Lancaster gave the visitors a real fright before falling just 24 runs short of an unlikely target.

But that failure to reach 227 was tough on the Bombers - but the points for the losing draw keep up their hopes of avoiding the Surridge Northern Premier Cricket League wooden spoon.

Batting first, Fleetwood scored consistently through their top order, although veteran Graham Barnes made them work for the runs throughout an extended spell of 26 overs.

Barnes, who wouldn't thank the Citizen if he was described as young guard, was forced to bowl overtime after professional Yasim Bari missed the game with a cheek injury.

Barnes is Mr Experience on days like Saturday - and he never let his team down, finishing with fine figures of 4-78 from his long spell in the sun.

Mike Clinning's unbeaten 51 was the highlight of the Fleetwood innings, while James Ellis chipped in with 39.

With Lancaster's current batting problems, which seem to have blighted them all season, chasing a score of 227 was going to be a tall order.

But they dug deep to scare Fleetwood, especially as Ramon Shah, who has suffered numerous injuries this season, starred as an opening batsman with real style.

Shah batted beautifully before, cruelly, falling just two short of a deserved century.

But that start gave Lancaster extra momentum and skipper Luke Phillips was going like a train until he was out for 33, while Iain Burstow was unbeaten on 23 at the end as Lancaster's innings closed after 56 overs on 203-5.

But the signs suggest good times may arrive.