Netherfield suffered defeat at the hands of title-chasing Leyland with the hosts closing the gap on Barrow at the top of the table.

The visitors produced a positive all-round bowling performance to restrict the Fox Lane club to 157, who lost their final wicket in the 48th over.

However, Netherfield were skittled out for less than a hundred within 29 overs, as only two batsmen reached double figures as opening bowler Dale Jones claimed six wickets.

Skipper Marc Brown won the toss and put Leyland into bat, which looked an inspired decision as Nathan Chambers bowled Henry Thompson for two.

Fellow opener Luis Reece has forced his way into Lancashire’s LV= County Championship squad this season, averaging 41 after his making his debut against Essex last month.

The 22-year-old hit five boundaries in a top-score of 39 before falling to Colin Ackermann, with Netherfield’s professional going on to claim 4-33 from 12.5 overs.

Wicketkeeper Thomas Murray and Nathan McDonnell were the other main contributors to the Leyland cause with scores of 29 and 23 respectively.

Chris Parkinson, Daniel Lamb, Karl Cross and James Rounding also made it to double figures as Shane Dixon and Bradley Earl claimed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Netherfield got off to the worst possible start and lost wickets on a regular basis as seamer Jones caused havoc.

Jones bowled Ben Barrow with the visitors’ score on five, while Brown followed soon after to the same bowler, caught behind by Murray.

South African Ackermann hit a couple of boundaries before being caught at gully off the bowling of Cross, with Greg Hall also falling cheaply.

Shane Dixon and Scott Clement were both out for ducks, with Cross seeing off the former on his way to figures of 2-28 off his 11 overs.

John Huck was the only top-order batsman to swim against the tide and offer any form of resistance, hitting four boundaries in this 33-ball 27 before offering a chance to Lamb at cover.

Clement fell to Jones, who together with Brendon Herron completed Jones’ six-wicket haul for the loss 37 runs from 12 overs.

By this stage defeat was inevitable and Matthew Goodall was the third Netherfield batsman to be dismissed without troubling the scorers, as James Rounding claimed his only victim.

Last man out was Earl for a 43-ball 24 as David Markinson joined the party, taking a wicket – caught by Thompson at cover – with only his fourth delivery.

With this defeat, Netherfield lost for the second week running and will look to return to winning ways on Saturday when they travel to Stanley Park to take on Blackpool.