ALSAGER slipped into the relegation zone on Saturday following an agonising last over defeat at fellow strugglers Didsbury.

Alsager are now second from bottom after swapping places with Didsbury, who won with just two balls left.

Alsager opened by declaring on 192 for six, only for the home side to squeeze past them with 194 for six in reply.

Didsbury faced a stiff task of scoring 40 from the last 12 overs for victory, but were helped by Dominic Bull, who gave away a crucial 10 runs five overs from the end.

Gary Stanyer top scored for Alsager with 54 not out, and his side were 76 for one before the loss of David Talbot and Chris Welch in quick succession.

Welch went for 49, with Talbot scoring 19, followed by Ken South on 18 and Darren Long with 17.

Didsbury put themselves in a good position by reaching 118 before losing their second man, and 153 when the next wicket fell.

Bull took two wickets for 54 off 18 overs, there was a wicket for Paul Pickford, and three run outs.

Didsbury claimed 20 points to nine for Alsager, who are now eight points adrift of Didsbury, with two teams due for the drop.

Alsager travel to second-placed Macclesfield tomorrow, and are at home to Wallasey on Sunday in the Cheshire Cup semi-final, which starts at 2pm.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.