Long Sutton suffered a defeat at South Lincs and Border League Premier Division leaders Newborough on Saturday in a low-scoring cracker.
Having lost the toss, things looked bleak for Sutton as they were knocked over for just 61 in less than 30 overs at St Martin’s Road.
But Jake Burton’s side put up quite the fight in return, reducing their hosts to 50-7 with both Barry Stanway (4-36) and Adam Whitaker (3-19) on fire with the ball.
Newborough eventually limped to 62-7 in the 18th over to seal a three-wicket victory, but Sutton can at least rest easy knowing they put up a stubborn fight.
The visitors made a nightmare start with Jamie Taylor out LBW to Ashley Fisher (1-10) for a five-ball duck.
Calvin Bird (6) and Dan Oldfield (20) moved them on to 32-1 before disaster struck and Sutton lost four quick wickets while adding just one to their total.
Bird was run out by Andrew Rowland, then Harry Richardson (4-11) got rid of Oldfield, Paul Edgeller (0) and Ed Barnes (0) to leave Sutton reeling on 33-5.
Tim Norris (9) was next to go after George Woods ran him out, with Burton (2) and Dom Clay (8) both following after falling to Shiva Teekasingh (2-14).
Few runs came from the tail, either, with Dan Plant (5) and Whitaker (3) both out caught to leave Sutton with 61 to defend.
And defend it they attempted to do, with Whitaker striking second ball to remove Paul Richardson LBW for a duck.
The pace of Stanway then pinned home skipper David Cooper (5) LBW, while Whitaker was in business again to take the scalp of opener George Woods (13).
Stanway struck again to get Andrew Rowland for a ten-ball duck and, when Whitaker grabbed his third wicket of the day by removing Chester Hercock (1) LBW, Newborough were in dire straits at 25-5 – still 37 shy of their target.
However, the home side found a partnership of substance when Greg Rowland (25 not out) and Teekasingh (8) came together.
They knocked off 25 of the runs together, before Stanway hit back to demolish Teekasingh’s stumps. The fast bowler then trapped Richardson LBW for a golden duck as the pendulum threatened to swing again.
However, Rowland held firm and helped his side limp over the line to collect 20 points – and consign Sutton to just a three-point haul.
Now fifth, they host rock-bottom Billingborough at Paradise Field this Saturday (1pm).
