DESPITE coming out on top in the local derby against Leyland Motors, Preston remain rooted at the foot of the Northern Premier League table -- just below the two Leyland clubs.

Preston beat the Motormen by 40 runs at West Cliff after running up a total of 185 to gain the maximum points. Motors took a solitary point from the match.

But Preston stay at the bottom after St Annes defeated Leyland in a thriller at Vernon Road.

Leyland batted first and, with stand-in South African professional Martin van Jaarseveld leading the way with 59 and former professional Neil Rimmer making 44, they were bowled out for 159. Geoff Love clean bowled his fellow countryman and then went on to complete a stunning 7 for 26 return from 23 overs of penetrating off spin. It was his best yet league return.

The St Annes reply stuttered at first but Adrian Darlington, lending his experience to the side at number five, made 33 to put them back in the hunt.

But wickets fell again and when Rimmer dismissed James Ellis it was 158-9.

St Annes skipper Sean Bickerdike was the man for the occasion and his eighth boundary in a score of 41 saw his side to a one-wicket victory at 162-9