ASHTON on Mersey dropped out of the Cheshire Cricket League Division One promotion places following a disappointing seven-wicket loss to Heaton Mersey at The Beets.

Choosing to bat first, Ashton soon regretted the decision as the pitch provided unexpected early help to the Heaton bowling attack. The home side found themselves struggling at 25-3 before skipper Lee Brooks and James Lines steadied the ship with some sensible batting.

When both players departed, Andy Roscow (46) and Akash Patel (44) made the most of an improving pitch to up the run rate, allowing Ashton to finish on a respectable 214-9. Pick of the Heaton Mersey bowlers was Luke Marshall (5-56).

In reply, Heaton found Ashton in generous mood as several misfields donated additional runs to the total.

As Ashton wilted, Alex Fair (58), Tamoor Malik (57 not out) and Adam Catlow (55no) made the most of a series of missed chances to bring the visitors home with two overs to spare on 215-3.

This was another below-par performance from Ashton who will be glad to see the back of a month which has seen them drop from top spot to third.

They will be looking to revive their promotion prospects when they travel to Runcorn on Saturday.

The seconds also struggled as an inexperienced team lost at Weaverham.

Weaverham made 200-9 (Tom Hulse 47no, Peter Edmondson 5-20) before Ashton were 96 all out (Kevin Douglas 6-30).