ANDY Payne was the hero for Rawtenstall as he helped the Bacup Road side climb to second in the league table.

Payne took 3-58 for the home side against East Lancs before going on to hit a superb unbeaten 119 to see Rawtenstall home by nine wickets.

Earlier East Lancs had opened the batting and veteran opener David Pearson had a knock of 63 and Sid Patel blasted 39 runs from just 19 balls to help them to a total of 189-7.

When Chris Cook-Martin was dismissed with just nine on the board, things looked ominous for Rawtenstall. But Payne and professional Sanjay Bangar (64 not out) shared a stand of 181 to see them home with more than 10 overs to spare.

Rishton kept their lead at the top of the table with a 12-run win over Bacup at Blackburn Road.

The visitors had earlier restricted their hosts to just 149-7 with Shaun Wyse top scoring on 75 and John Seedle adding 26.

But Scott Greaves done the damage with the ball, claiming a five wicket haul, which included the prize scalp of New Zealand professional Chris Harris on 60. Saeed Anwar took a further three wickets.

Basement boys Accrington won for the third time this season, as they beat Todmorden in a thrilling encounter at Centre Vale. Professional Nishit Shetty top scored with 66 in Accrington's 154 all out and he was backed by Toby Bulcock on 36.

Zahir Afzal removed Stuart Priestley (4) at 13 but du Plessis (27) and Simon Newbitt (28) took the score to 65. But four wickets apiece from skipper Dave Ormerod and Damian Clarke saw Accrington restrict the home side to 152-9.

Another struggling side, Nelson, also recorded a fine win over Enfield, coming out on top by 71 runs at Dill Hall Lane.

Craig McMillan hit 64 runs and Garry Grimshaw also compiled an excellent 50 off 72 balls in Nelson's formidable 194-4.

And McMillan took 5-58 with the ball, ably assisted by Khurrum Nazir's 3-41 to cap a fine day for the visitors.

Ramsbottom's title hopes took a tumble at home to defending champions Burnley, who secured a 24 run win.

Professional Jon Harvey hit an unbeaten 80 in his side's 167-6. Jon Clare also hit 32 and Mohammed Jamal 20.

Sunil Joshi took 3-47 for Ramsbottom who got off to fine start in reply with openers Phil Hayes (46) and Chris Wood (13). David Bell made 18 and Chris Read 24, but Bharat Tripathi claimed five wickets as Ramsbottom were bowled out for 143.

Jeff Ellis earned a double collection in Colne's 46 run win over Church at the Horsfield. Ellis hit 61 in an opening stand of 129 with professional Greg Mail, who hit 79 before becoming Chris Wade's first senior wicket as Colne compiled 197-4 from 40 overs.

Church openers Ruvin Peiris (46) and Sagawat Hussain (45) put on 77 but in an almighty collapse 92-1 became 111-7 with Ellis taking 5-44. Nasser Hussain stood alone with an unbeaten 29 as all around him fell. Stuart Lemon also picked up 3-33, but it was Mail who removed Sam Holt with the final ball of the game to seal 12 points for the home side.

Haslingden secured a convincing win over Lowerhouse. The home side were skittled for just 128 in reply to Haslingden's earlier 177-8 total.