WINSFORD found a target set by Knutsford beyond them during a Cheshire League encounter at Knights Grange.

Chasing 229 to win, they fell 50 runs short after succumbing for 178.

Mike Dickenson (37), Sid Mothe (32), Mike Dean and Callum Simpson (both 30) all made starts in the Division Four fixture.

Daniel Holtom (3-56) and Kev Fitzpatrick (2-49) had been the pick of their bowlers earlier in the day, while Dean dismissed Muhammad Arslan (69), as the visitors totalled 228.

Winsford’s seconds suffered another defeat in Division C, this time by 60 runs away to Knutsford.

The home team put 211 on the board, with Phil Hall (3-46) and stand-in skipper Paul Hough (3-50) rewarded for their efforts.

However the visiting batsmen never got to grips with their opponents’ bowling attack, save for Mark Skellon (48), as they succumbed for 151 after losing their final five wickets for 11 runs.