An unbeaten century from Bury’s Simon Belston denied Flixton the chance of clinching their first Bolton Association league title on home soil on Saturday.

The Section A leaders will now look to secure the point they need in their final game of the season at Walshaw next Saturday, after third-placed Bury inflicted a five-wicket defeat on the champions elect.

Captain Belston led the way hitting 105 not out as the Radcliffe Road men totalled 193-5 in reply to the home side’s 190-8 to put the champagne on ice at Lawrence Road.

Flixton had won the toss and decided to bat first and at 101-1 it was going well. But the loss of two wickets in an over put them on the back foot.

Opening batsman Steven Lang top-scored for the leaders with 57 and Adrian Holmes was also 35 not out.

The pick of the visiting bowlers came from Nekoli Parris, who took 3-58 off 18 overs, while Twentyman also bowled tight.

Belston was dropped twice and survived a close lbw against him as he led his Bury troops to victory with Alton Beckford the best bowler for Flixton taking 3-63.

Bury are the only team that Flixton have not beaten this season and Belston was delighted his side continued that record.

“The result was no surprise to us,” he said. “We just stuck to our game plan and got the 13 points.

“They started like a house on fire. We thought we might have been chasing 300 the way it was going in the first 10 overs. To restrict them to 190 was a mammoth effort from us, we did well.”

Flixton only need a point against Walshaw on Saturday to secure the title.

Belston said: “Flixton deserve to be where they are because they are a top side. They’ve got some big batsman, and have one of the best batting line-ups in the Association. Our victory has given Atherton that little bit of hope now. They will come to us looking to win.

“For us to finish third will be a great season for this club.”

A half century from David Murray gave Elton the bragging rights in the local derby against Walshaw in the other game in Section A.

The reduced 24-over game, which started at 3.40pm, was overshadowed by a nasty finger injury to Walshaw’s opening bowler Gavin Nicholls. However, Murray top-scored with 51 and Mike Hall also added 23no as Elton totalled 142-6. Steve Holt was the visitors’ best bowler taking 3-38.

Fifth-placed Walshaw could only muster 103-7 in reply with Mick Murphy 40no as the hosts won by 39 runs.