MESSINGHAM'S lead at the top of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League premier division was further eroded when they lost again – this time at home to Alkborough, who began the day in third place.

The other championship hopefuls also won – Barton Town by 32 runs at Haxey and Caistor Town by 40 runs at Cleethorpes 2nds.

The big relegation battle saw Bracebridge Heath 2nds increase their chances of avoiding the drop with a two-wicket home win over bottom side Appleby-Frodingham 2nds.

In division one, leaders Cherry Willingham turned in a poor batting display and lost their unbeaten record at the hands of second-placed Alford.

That was also the case from promotion hopefuls Broughton – defeated by the improving Hykeham.

Despite being dismissed for a poor score, Scothern clawed their way back to secure victory at Outcasts.

But there was no joy for the bottom two – Cleethorpes 3rds losing their derby game with Holton-le-Clay, while Nettleham 2nds were defeated by Louth 2nds.

In division two, Market Rasen stepped up their promotion push with a comfortable seven-wicket triumph at Alkborough 2nds.

Grimsby Town 2nds also stayed on course by beating Owmby, while Caistor 2nds' impressive form continued with a win over bottom side Outcasts 2nds,

In division three, Keelby are real championship contenders after a handy seven-wicket win at Scunthorpe Town 2nds.

Broughton 2nds remain in relegation trouble after losing at home to Hibaldstow, but Cherry Willingham 2nds stay just above the danger zone despite losing at Washingborough.

Division four leaders Old Lincolnians inflicted an eight-wicket defeat on lowly Scunthorpe Town 3rds, while the clash between the second and third-placed sides saw South Kelsey 2nds beat Caistor 3rds by six wickets.

Bottom-placed Brigg lost heavily at Keelby 2nds, while Hykeham 2nds remain clear of the re-election zone even though they were beaten by Alford 2nds.

In a mid-table clash, Market Rasen 2nds turned in a good display to defeat Morton.

PREMIER DIVISION

Appleby-Frodingham 2nds 138, Bracebridge Heath 2nds 141 for eight; Caistor Town 229 for eight (Wijerathne 93), Cleethorpes 2nds 189 (Hughes 64); Barton Town 208 for nine (P Bell 64), Haxey 176 for eight; Messingham 211 for eight (I Dawson 73, Andy Cook 50), Alkborough 214 for six (S Clay 81 not out).

DIVISION ONE

Cherry Willingham 85 (Irving 5-20), Alford 86 for four; Holton-le-Clay 193 for four (Bellamy 55, Portus 51), Cleethorpes 3rds 50; Broughton 44 (Hammond 7-29), Hykeham 47 for three; Louth 2nds 232 for seven (Scott 85, Jacklin 56), Nettleham 2nds 201 for nine (Graham 84 not out); Scothern 105 (Sharp 7-30), Outcasts 63 (Johnson 5-13, McGowan 5-25).

DIVISION TWO

Alkborough 2nds 121 (Bunn 7-40), Market Rasen 123 for three; Outcasts 2nds 85 (Healy 6-10), Caistor Town 2nds 86 for five; Grimsby Town 2nds 233 for five (Waters 91, Fanthorpe 50), Owmby 164 for seven (Deegan 57).

DIVISION THREE

Hibaldstow 201 for nine, Broughton 2nds 56; Scunthorpe Town 2nds 212 for nine (Spencer 5-47), Keelby 213 for three (A Bagnall 79 not out, Chauhan 62).

Cherry Willingham 2nds 146 for nine (Beatty 50 not out), Washingborough 147 for two.

DIVISION FOUR

Alford 2nds 138, Hykeham 2nds 56 (Wilkinson 6-12);

Brigg Town 46 (McLellan 5-17, Wade 5-24), Keelby 2nds 47 for one; Morton 166 (Purkiss 5-32), Market Rasen 2nds 170 for six (Purkiss 61 not out); Scunthorpe Town 3rds 139, Old Lincolnians 140 for two (Walukiewicz 64 not out); Caistor Town 3rds 102 (McKitton 60, Hawking 5-14), South Kelsey 2nds 105 for four.