ASHTON-on-Mersey’s promotion prospects were dealt a blow when they agonisingly lost by one wicket to league leaders Lindow at The Beets.

Choosing to bat first on another excellent track, Ashton got off to a splendid start moving to 89-1 off the first 20 overs.

But the acceleration that base demanded was not forthcoming and the innings stuttered as dot balls built scoreboard pressure.

Teenage opener Ryan O’Brien eventually departed for 70 as others perished trying to force the pace.

Only lower order runs from Sam Timbs helped Ashton to a less than satisfactory 199.

Ben Tyler (5-88) and Scott Howarth (3-97) shared the bowling for all but one of the overs and would have been delighted that their efforts neutralized the Ashton batting attack.

In reply Lindow forced the pace from the off with Chris Taylor punishing anything loose for a fluent 47.

But the key moment of the innings came when Ashton dropped Lindow’s powerful overseas player Brady Yates. Yates went on to make 49 before falling to Dan Higgins.

Ashton kept up the pressure and found success against the Lindow lower order.

As the visitors looked like they may crumble, skipper Tyler got them back on track with some aggressive hitting.

When Timbs removed Tyler for 32 Ashton sniffed a chance and got the visitors nine down with the scores level.

A scrambled single and a missed run out attempt saw Lindow home by the narrowest of margins.

Higgins (3-50) and Timbs (3-70) posted the best bowling figures.

Ashton need to re-group over the coming weeks to keep in the promotion hunt, starting next week at Heaton Mersey.