LANCASTER's penultimate league game of the season didn't finish on a high as they succumbed to Atif Ashraf's spin.

Captain Dave Heywood won the toss for Lancaster, duly electing to bat on a very damp wicket and outfield.

The pace men of Wassem Khan and Danny Milligan couldn't make inroads despite some early chances and it proved that spin was the order of the day with the ball turning considerably with inconsistent bounce.

Michael Walling (4-33) and Scott Sparks (5-36) bowled 34.2 overs between them and caused numerous problems.

Both Darwen openers rode their luck but managed to post a 50 partnership, before both fell lbw to Walling and Sparks.

Darwen professional Ashraf (20) hit a quickfire innings before that man Sparks took a great catch.

Only Chris Clarke (19) looked steady at the crease after that with both spinners tearing through the latter order.

The only other wicket came from a mix-up between both batsmen, Milligan running out Stuart Hampson, the score finishing on 127.

Lancaster's innings followed a similar suit to previous weeks in that wickets were lost in groups.

Jamie Heywood went without scoring and Billy Akrigg batted well briefly before an unfortunate run out decision. This left Lancaster 20-3 before Walling (10) and Iain Parkinson (20) supported Michael Stevens well.

Ashraf was always a problem, and when Hampson also started to restrict at the other end, Lancaster's batsmen had to take risks, which didn't pay off.

Khan (19) hit two sixes and a four before being bowled, leaving the tail exposed.

The game was finished when Gareth Cordingley took a clinical catch at extra cover to dismiss Milligan, the home side all out for 106.