SUTTON'S hopes of survival in the First Division of the Mewies Solicitors Craven League have taken a major knock.

Things looked good for them when Chris Williams (36) and David Snowden (33) put on 68 for the first wicket but they could only add another 76 at Foulridge.

The Lancastrians were 130-4 in their reply but only ended up winning by one wicket as five victims fell for 11 runs, Justin Holdsworth finishing with 6-30.

The two clubs are now level on eight points in second from bottom, still six points behind Embsay, whose Arslam Hussain (4-58 and 58no) did his best against Ingrow St Johns.

Scott Harrison also took 3-18 in Saints' 242-9 and Embsay made 177-9 after tea, Ben Keane making 40.

Almost 600 runs were scored at Bradley in the Second Division, with Gargrave making 359-6, Joe Wood hitting 139 not out, skipper John Beckwith 89 and Ross Freeman 69 as they recovered from 46-3.

Bradley's spirited effort brought them 240, with James Heseltine hitting 85, Caspar Bean 46 and Neil Andrews 31 as Freeman (6-82) and Wood (3-47) completed an excellent day all-round as the visitors pulled themselves level with Bradley in second from bottom.

Cowling, who are equal second, were in no mood to mess around at home to Long Lee, Shaid Hassan (5-40) and Martyn Dalby (3-32) going a long way to dismissing the hosts for 118 before Wasim Hussain (57no) and Mark Adams (49no) took the hosts to a ten-wicket victory in 32.3 overs.

Fifth-placed Glusburn are only three points behind the trio in second, which includes Thornton-in-Craven after a tense two-wicket victory over them.

Kev Pollard (71) and Andrew Teal (53) helped the bordermen to 202-8, Nick Williamson bagging 5-59, and contributions from skipper Steve Brown (46), Jack Roberts (39), Williamson (29) and Ian Simons (22) were just enough to get Glusburn over the line off the first ball of the final over.

Cononley's hopes of promotion from the Third Division took a knock with a 31-run defeat at Sandy Lane, late runs from No 9 Mohammed Ishtiaq (69) and Shahbaz Ahmed (40) helping them to 199-9 after Freddie Maddocks (4-47) and Jack Hatton (3-33) had made inroads.

Charles Calvert (62) got the visitors off to a start but he lacked support as his team-mates got themselves in only to get out and they ended on 168-8 .

Skipton Church Institute's Ian Burke's 33 was the top score in the match at home to Barrowford, and the hosts made 148-9 before the three-pronged attack of Sam Smith (4-20), John Stuttard (3-29) and Alex Horsfield (3-29) castled the Lancastrians for 106.