In fact Sleaford were hugely unlucky not to clinch an outright win, as Nettleham had only one wicket remaining when the overs ran out.

Batting has been a problem on occasions for Sleaford this season but on Saturday they used their home advantage to good effect when put in to bat by the visitors.

The innings did not begin too auspiciously, with Tomlin departing for 15 and Cossins removed for a duck. But Warren Nel and Steve Bradford then proceeded to compile an excellent third wicket stand.

Nel went on to make a superb 110 before being the third wicket to fall to Ashique Rahman, who finished with figures of 3-55. Bradford was equally impressive on his way to an unbeaten 85, as Sleaford reached 233 for 3 off their 50 overs.

High on confidence after his commanding knock, Nel showed he was no slouch either when it came to bowling. Turning in perhaps his best performance of the season to date he picked up five wickets at a cost of just 34 runs off 11 overs to set up a winning position for Sleaford.

Bradford and Morris each claimed two scalps as Nettleham were forced to struggle after a promising start to their innings in which Lea (48) and Brown (28) put on 81 for the first wicket. The visitors' middle order offered little resistance as Sleaford reduced them to 178-9. But that vital tenth wicket eluded them and Sleaford had to settle for 15 points from the winning draw.

*Defending champions Bracebridge Heath strengthened their position at the top of the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League with an easy eight wicket defeat of Lindum.

The leaders came away with 20 points while nearest challengers Woodhall Spa could pick up only 13 points at Louth after failing to bowl out the home side in a rain-affected, low scoring game.

Although Sleaford picked up a valuable 15 points from their winning draw at home to Nettleham, second from bottom Caistor, the team immediately below them in the table, moved a little closer after a surprise victory over Grimsby which yielded them 20 points.

Put in to bat on a damp day when the toss was crucial, Grimsby were bowled out for 91. Caistor then lost only two wickets on their way to victory.

Aaron Onyon starred for Woodhall Spa, taking seven for 31 as, after several interruptions for rain, Louth finally ended their innings on 101 for eight. Andrew Crook then hit an unbeaten 63 to help Woodhall to a seven wicket win.

Results: Lindum 93 (Carter 5-37), Bracebridge Heath 96-2; Bourne 270-6 (Fotheringham 106no), Messingham 192-9 (Hopkins 5-57); Grimsby 91, Caistor 95-2; Sleaford 233-3 (Nel 110, Bradford 85no), Nettleham 178-9 (Nel 5-34); Louth 101-8 (Onyon 7-31), Woodhall Spa 102-3 (Crook 63no); Haxey 137, Market Deeping 143-6