EAST Lancashire Paper Mill are fourth bottom in Division Two A after going down by 26 runs at home to Droylsden on Saturday.

Chasing the visitors' 241-8, the Radcliffe men made 215 before the last wicket fell.

There is a 10-point gap between the two relegation places and ELPM who are at home to top-of-the-table Westleigh on Saturday.

Captain Paul Hewart said of Saturday's defeat to third-placed Droylsden: "Unfortunately we managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

"Having lost the toss again Droylsden elected to bat on a very dry, hard track.

"We bowled well and restricted them to a very gettable 241-8 with wickets spread across the attack.

"Matthew Smalley took 1-41, Louis Birmingham 1-28 debutant Shaskat Kakkar 1-28 off his 11 overs, Gavin Greaves 2-43 and me 2-19.

"We got off to a great start and were 175-4 at the end of the 29th over.

"Mark Robinson top scored with 55 and there was a useful 46 for Gavin Greaves.

"But a mid-order collapse as the wicket started to misbehave saw us eventually bowled out for 215 in the 40th over.

"It was frustrating to say the least. Droylsden, who were currently third in the league, were there for the taking.

"We just now need to take the positives into Saturday’s game against high-flying Westleigh."