Former England fast bowler Mark Ilott ensured a rude awakening for Preston in Division Two. They lost by five wickets against a strong Potters Bar second team in a game that was controlled by two players. Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a go

Former England fast bowler Mark Ilott ensured a rude awakening for Preston in Division Two.

They lost by five wickets against a strong Potters Bar second team in a game that was controlled by two players.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a good surface, Preston once again found themselves in early trouble at 63-5 after 15 overs.

Only Dave Fleckney (37) made any contribution from the top order.

Ilott, making his first appearance of the season, caused havoc with the ball and proved his quality in returning the excellent figures of 13.2-6-32-7.

Some sensible late order batting from top scorer Grieg Hearne (39) and Ben Hill (13) saw Preston finally dismissed in the 44th over for 139 all out.

Preston opted to start with the old ball, with both Mark Waters and Andy Riant bowling with excellent control early on.

To be in with any chance of winning the game Preston would have to dismiss overseas player Mehta early on, and this proved right as he went on to crash 77 from just 62 balls.

It was left to Ilott to hit the winning runs as he blazed 29no from 13 balls. Preston's best two bowlers were Waters (15-4-59-2) and Srini (6.4-1-34-2).

The seconds are now seventh in Division Six after a four-wicket win at home to Parkfield and Headstone.

The visitors took first knock and scored 183 all out in 52.3 overs. The most successful bowler was Iain Williamson with 3-75 off 22 overs, backed up by Steve Monk (2-30 off seven). There were also three run outs.

Casey Walker top scored for Preston in reply with a dynamic 56 supported by a breezy 40 from Jonathan Jenkins, 37 from Matt Burleigh and an unbeaten 32 for Williamson.

n Preston lost out by three wickets in an entertaining low-scoring Chess Valley League game against Old Albanians on Sunday.

They were dismissed for just 93 on what was a tricky surface to bat on, with Dave Fleckney top scoring with 18.

Preston had their hosts in all sorts of trouble early on at 21-5 by the 10th over but the old boys scraped home seven down in the 33rd over.

The seconds lost by 29 runs at home to Old Albanians.

The visitors recovered from 80-5 to total 217-9 in their 45 overs. Chris Newell was the pick of the bowlers with 4-32 supported by Max Anderson's 3-56.

Only Simon Luxton got into gear for Preston in reply with a well-made 73. Next best was 23 from Callum Blair but the home side fell just short of the target.