Lee Pearson was called up to replace captain Jon Henderson who had suffered an injury the previous day and he repaid the selectors' faith in him with a 4 for 78 haul from 21 overs.

He took the first three wickets as the visitors were reduced to 50 for 5.

Mo Bux gave great support with a very accurate spell which saw him claim 3 for 31 from 15 overs.

David Brown helped him to one of those wickets with the smart stumping of Colne skipper Mike Wilson but he then suffered an injury and had to hand the gloves over to David Whitehead midway through the innings.

Pearson continued to plug away from one end but Colne's deputy professional Friedel de Wet was determined to earn his money and proved to be a stubborn opponent.

Eventually Goolam Bodi tempted him and Whitehead completed the stumping - the South African, who was last man out, having dominated the Colne batting with 87 runs as the visitors, who had chosen to bat after winning the toss, were dismissed for 145.

David Wallbank gave the visitors some hope when he had Ben Sutcliffe caught for five with the score on eight.

But Simon Newbitt and Bodi then combined to add 95 for the second wicket and all but secure the victory.

There was a brief flutter as Wallback removed Newbitt for 50 and then trapped Alistair Harrison in front for three.

But Bodi - as he has been on a number of occasions this season, was there at the death. This time he was unbeaten on 60 and, more importantly, his side was celebrating victory.

The previous day Todmorden had lost by five wickets at third placed Rawtenstall.

Again Sutcliffe fell cheaply before Newbitt and Bodi got together, this time for a 52 run partnership.

Both fell in quick succession to veteran Keith Roscoe, who passed 50 wickets for the season on his way to figures of 6 for 33.

Todmorden were in desperate trouble at 112 for 9 before Mo Bux smashed six sixes in a stunning 41, made from just 26 balls, dominating a partnership of 46 with David Brown, 5no.

With rain looming the Rawtenstall openers didn't hang around, smashing 86 from just 13 overs.

Payne made 27 and McCullum an unbeaten 38 before Chris Cook-Martin hit a superb knock of 62 from 46 balls - including nine fours and three sixes.

Bodi, 3 for 32, and Andy Sutcliffe, 2 for 62 from eight overs, battled to stem the tide