Morecambe played a competitive Blackpool side in their attempt to take top position in League with two games to go.

Managing to hang on for a losing draw, they were grateful to a stubborn effort from Phil Dennison as the batsmen again failed to back up another good bowling performance.

Electing to bat first, Blackpool got over the early loss of two wickets, picked up by Bruce Martin and Jono Gates, as Reece and professional Weekaron settled in to a solid partnership.

Weekaron's attacking instinct blended well with Reece, who also continues to impress for Lancashire 2nds.

Professional Martin was having an off day, but it was the introduction of Tommy Clough that was to change the pace of the innings. He immediately claimed the wicket of Reece with a sharp return catch and then claimed the wicket of skipper Danson, having him well caught in the deep by Mark Woodhead.

Graham Lee eventually got his reward claiming Moore and Hogarth in quick succession.

This combined with the returning Gates, claiming his first five-wicket haul of the season, including two fine catches in the deep off Dennison and Clough, meant that Blackpool subsided to 134 all out.

Morecambe's innings again started in positive vein as Vishal Goyal and Woodhead took the score to 32 in good time.

They both perished within five balls though, Goyal to a debatable lbw and Woodhead to a fine gully catch by Reece. This triggered a further collapse as Mark Lomas, Martin and Gulam Maje went to leave the home side 43-5.

Alex Thistlethwaite began to repair the damage with Dennison as the two batted time with the chance of a win slowly slipping away.

Eventually Thistlethwaite fell, edging behind and when the resolute Gudgeon was caught at the wicket, Clough was sent out with orders to save the game.

Clough did this to good effect until he was out in the penultimate over, but it was left to Dennison to bat out the final over and finish on a stubborn 25 not out, giving Blackpool six points and Morecambe four.

Professional Weekaron bowled throughout for 4-18.

Netherfield took maximum points against Carnforth to take the lead at the top by five points.

Kendal lost so Morecambe are third, just behind Blackpool but having to play Netherfield in the last game of the season.

* PLAYER absences made life tough for Torrisholme in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield at the weekend.

The first team were bowled out for 96 in response to Norcross' 148-8 in Division One.

Torrisholme took two points but the result means the upcoming home game with Croston is a virtual relegation decider.

The second team were bowled out for 55 against Fulwood and Broughton, who knocked off the runs for the loss of five wickets.