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Darwen clung on to their unbeaten league record in a desperate finish against Chorley at Birch Hall, the home side ending on 116-9 as last pair Graham Parkinson and Andrew Mercer doggedly survived the last eight of the final 20 overs.

At 12-5 defeat was staring Darwen in the face as the top order was blown away by Chorley's Australian professional Josh Marquet whose fiery opening spell brought him 4-9.

But a fighting sixth wicket stand of 52 between Chris Lowe (31) and Neil Cordingley (21) steadied the innings and when both perished in quick succession a belligerent 24 from Jeff Hacking further frustrated Chorley. However, at 97-9, Darwen still needed the rescue services which Parkinson and Mercer coolly supplied, denying the visitors eight possibly crucial points in the championship chase.

Earlier Chorley had posted 161-9 with Roland Horridge again in prime form with 56 and Neil Bannister contributing 31. Darwen professional Richard Petrie claimed 5-41 and Hacking 2-33.

To complete a frustrating weekend for Chorley, their hopes of a fourth visit to Lord's in the National Knockout competition were dashed in yesterday's sixth round tie when Harrogate triumphed by 40 runs in front of a bumper crowd at Windsor Park.

A sixth wicket stand of 80 carried the Yorkshire League champions from 133-5 towards an imposing total of 228-8 from their 45 overs. Veteran spinner Keith Eccleshare (3-28) and Iqbal Patel (2-24) were the only Chorley bowlers to put a brake on the visitors who then proceeded to field quite magnificentlywhen Chorley replied.

The home side were going well at 57-0 but two stunning catches to remove Neil Bannister and Russell Cake started something of a slide. Despite a brisk 30 from Neil Senior and dogged resistance from the lower order, Chorley were finally all out for 188.