LEIGH CC suffered a six-wicket defeat to Birkenhead Park despite posting an impressive score.

The Pennington-based side won the toss and elected to bat and just like most times this season, opener Ross Zelem led from the front by hitting 31 while wickets fell of Richard Dempster (four) and Matt McKiernan (13) fell around him.

But some resistance in the middle of the order by Adam Shallcross (32) and Tom Foster (35) helped to put the visitors on the verge of the century before Shallcross was bowled by Ian Daniels.

A flurry of wickets fell and when Hedley Molyneaux (32), Leigh declared on 170.

In reply, Richard Dempster struck early by sending opener Mike Barnes back to the pavilion for one then Molyneaux also got in on the act to leave Birkenhead 17-2.

But the partnership of Chris Davies and Ian Daniels steadied the ship to get runs on the scoreboard before Davies was trapped lbw by skipper Matt McKiernan for 24.

The home side built up some momentum with Daniels (55) and Luke Campden (61) and Birkenhead reached their target in 42.4 overs.

The wickets were shared out among Dempster (1-37), Molyneux (1-12), Shallcross (1-37) and McKiernan (1-38).

The result leaves Leigh sitting two places above the drop zone in the Liverpool and District ECB Premier Division with a key tie against strugglers Wallasey on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Leigh second team defeated Wigan by 52 runs and they will be thankful for the impressive innings of Michael Waywell.

He hit 144 which included 17 fours and five sixes while David Dove added 42 as Leigh declared on 235-3.

In reply, Chris Waywell was the pick of the bowlers with 5-34.