LEADERS St Annes had the better of a winning draw against Darwen at Vernon Road.

But despite a six-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Michael Baer, they could not force a victory.

Baer took 6-79, but Darwen closed 209-8, 37 runs short of victory.

Darwen’s 14-year-old opener Alex Davies (35), Gareth Cordingley (41) and John Cordingley (55 from 39 balls) provided the main resistance.

Earlier, former Pakistan Test star Atiq uz-Zaman (103 off 99 balls including 17 fours) and Stephen Twist (108 off 123 balls with 16 fours) added 190 for the third wicket in St Annes’ 245-9.