CAPTAIN Adeel Bhatti claimed a wicket that secured for Knutsford a share of the spoils from their meeting with Westminster Park that had appeared unlikely.

The teams were tied on 113 at the close after he trapped Tirumala Dayama LBW.

A late burst from Shake Shimul (3-3) gave the men from Mereheath Lane hope after Bhatti (3-53) and spinner Waheed Khan (4-30) had combined effectively earlier in the innings.

However their guests were still favourites to win after reaching 80-6.

Knutsford had been disappointed to be dismissed for 113 after openers Darren Longen (29) and Mohammad Arslan (19) had put on 52 for the first wicket.

However only two other batsmen – Shimul (16) and Muhsin Ali (13) also reached double-figures.

Knutsford sit fourth in the Cheshire League Division Four standings ahead of a visit from neighbours Holmes Chapel on Saturday.

Meanwhile Knutsford’s seconds put behind them back-to-back defeats when the eased to a nine-wicket win against Division C wooden spoonists Mossley.

They blew away their opponents for just 52 in 24 overs, with seamer Ashish Abraham claiming 3-6 with support from Ikhlaqh Janjua (3-15).

Sheban Farooq (2-2) and Alan Varguase took the other wickets.

In reply Zain Ali blasted a run-a-ball 47, including seven fours and a six, to take his side to victory in 13 overs at 55-1.

They make a short trip to Holmes Chapel seconds this weekend.