GLAZEBURY second team suffered a narrow defeat at Knutsford after a great fightback by their bowlers in Division Four of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance.

After being asked to bat first a commanding innings from captain Ian Black lit up an otherwise disappointing display, but the home side were given a real scare before eventually crossing the line.

After the win over Audlem the previous week, Glazebury were looking to take the initiative in their first away game of the season, but the wicket of Gary Dunlop in the first over put them on the back foot.

A slight recovery ensued before Phil McCue was out with the score on 20, and from there the impressive Knutsford attack took control.

Only Black could provide any lengthy resistance as the visitors slumped to 65 for 9, before a dogged last wicket stand of 46 between the skipper and keeper Gary Ayre took the total up to 111.

Black was the last man out for an excellent 72 that included seven fours and three sixes, and it was now over to the bowlers to get their side back into the match.

Knutsford reached 30-0 and then 58-1 despite some disciplined bowling from the Warrington side, and with only Chris Ayre's wicket to show for their efforts, it appeared that the hosts were cantering to victory.

But then a sharp piece of fielding by Alex MacArthur allowed Gary Ayre to execute a run out and the tide began to turn.

Although they stuttered to 75 before the next wicket, Knutsford then lost a further five for the addition of 10 runs as Hakeem Dahou, two, and Dave Nicholson, three, made their mark on the game to make Glazebury the favourites.

But with 26 still needed for victory in a low-scoring contest, the batting side somehow managed to stop the rot and defied the odds to reach their target without further loss on 113 for 7 to take the win by a three-wicket margin.

In the final analysis Glazebury simply did not make enough runs and they will be looking to put that right when Stalybridge St Pauls visit Hurst Lane this coming Saturday.