BRENDAN Nash made a return to the Lancashire League to fire East Lancs back to the summit as he broke Accrington hearts on Saturday.

The Australian-born West Indian Test ace claimed 5-39 as Accrington were skittled for just 96.

And then he hit 40 not out to steer his side to an easy win before 5.30pm.

John Turner was also in form, making 36, but the Blackburn side then had a nervy wait to see if they would hit the summit.

That news was confirmed when Lowerhouse beat Haslingden.

Accrington innings

GL Sneddon c Pearson b Nash 13
SJ Hanson c DCT Turner b Nash 15
Clare b Patel 4
GD Lloyd c JPA Turner b Nash 4
MJ Schofield c Pearson b Patel 6
M Wilson c PI Bolton b Patel 4
SPS Crabtree c JPA Turner b Patel 6
JE Hayhurst c Lomas b Nash 18
PD Carroll c PI Bolton b Nash 15
DN Ormerod c NJ Turner b Kelly 0
DW Clarke not out 0
Extras 11
Total (10 wickets) 96
Patel 15 1 51 4, Nash 16 3 39 5, Kelly 1.1 1 0 1.

East Lancashire innings

DJ Pearson c Wilson b Clare 5
M Bhada c Wilson b Clare 5
Nash not out 40
JPA Turner not out 36
Extras 11
Total (2 wickets) 97
Clare 6 0 21 2, Ormerod 9 2 24 0, Hayhurst 4 0 16 0, Clarke 4 0 19 0, Carroll 4 2 7 0, Hanson 1 0 7 0, Schofield 0.5 0 3 0.

East Lancashire won by 8 wickets. East Lancashire 12, Accrington 0.