A SOLID all-round team performance saw Kendal come agonisingly close to toppling league leaders Morecambe.

The Shap Road club restricted Morecambe to 163 runs from their allocated overs but fell 14 runs shy of the target to earn a losing draw.

While disappointed not to come away from Woodhill Lane with more points in the bag, skipper Chris Miller was pleased with how his team performed.

"We dropped about six chances so they probably ended up with 20 more than I would have liked them to have got which unfortunately proved the difference in the end," he said.

"Morecambe have been flying at the top recently so to get so close to beating the league leaders was a positive. Over the last couple of weeks we have played first and second and came close both times so it's a bit frustrating we are challenging the boys at the top but not getting over the line which has sadly been the story of the season."

Openers Josh Dixon (15) and Mark Woodhead found life a little tricky against the pace and sideways movement of Kendal professional Eldred Hawken.

But with no breakthrough Miller turned to Saeed Bariwala who soon claimed the wicket of Morecambe captain Dixon as he was stumped by wicketkeeper Richard Herron.

Pro Suraj Randiv joined Woodhead at the crease and the pair propelled Morecambe to 112 before Miller and Bariwala combined to remove the danger man for 57.

Ryan Pearson (24 not out) was the next top scorer as Morecambe pushed on to a score of 163.

In reply Jamie Cassidy instantly removed Paul Dodds (0) and Bariwala (29) followed his teammate back into the pavilion in the sixth over.

Resistance from Joseph Dodds (10), Hawken (22) and Darren Nightingale (38) gave Kendal a chance of chasing down the target but the trio succumbed to the bowling of Randiv and their hopes began to fade.

Miller was then removed lbw by Randiv (6 for 51) before he clean bowled Lewis Richardson the following ball.

Morecambe sniffed victory but Shane Hyland (28 not out) had other ideas as he and Marcus Hill (5) batted out the last over to secure a draw.

Despite sitting low in the league, Miller is determined his side remain competitive in the remaining fixtures, including away at Penrith on Saturday.

"We've got five games left now and we want to win as many as possible," he said. "I think that's what you should do in every sport and not just roll over and die because it's always a good feeling Saturday night when you've got a win."