DARWEN had to settle for third place in the Northern Premier League table a final day defeat at Penrith.

Jordan Clarke’s visiting side hoped to make eight wins in their final games of the campaign to claim second.

Penrith made 178-9 in a rain affected match reduced to 35 overs per side.

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Nicky Burns’ 47 from 52 balls got the innings off to a positive start and captain Kriss McLean chipped in with 37, but from 150-4 the Towers pegged the hosts back impressively, Niall Burke finishing with 4-50.

Ammer Mirza and Mark Friend got the Darwen response off to a good start, but both fell for 32 at just under a run-a-ball.

Neil Cordingley (30) passed 14 after the double blow of losing both openers and Clarke’s side were bowled out 21 runs short of their target.

They needed Chorley to do them a favour and beat Fleetwood if they were to take a second, and it looked a real possibility when the Fylde coast side were bowled out for 109.

Chorley slumped from 18-0 to 48-6 and were bowled out for 93.

Preston’s bowled out for under 100 for the fourth time in five innings.

They managed just 96 against Netherfield.

Champions Morecambe lost the seaside derby to Blackpool, who made 183 all out batting first. Morecambe were rolled over for 141 in response with Christi Viljoen taking 5-50.

Lancaster were bowled out for 57 by Barrow, with Daryl Wearing taking 5-15, cruising home by 10 wickets.