PRESTATYN remain just outside the Liverpool and District Competition First Division drop zone after a 103-run home reverse to Sefton Park.

The Beach Close side were unable to pick up a vital victory that would have eased their relegation worries ahead of the run-in, and the defeat leaves them 23 points ahead of Fleetwood Hesketh with five games remaining.

David Harris’ side will look to pick up a derby success and ease the burden on them this Saturday when they welcome Northop Hall.

The visitors made an imposing start in the middle on their way to 235-4 from 49 overs, with skipper Richie Forsyth in ruthless form throughout to finish the day unbeaten on 75 from 131 deliveries, which included just four boundaries.

Opening duo Vataly Wilkinson and Daniel Coonan got them off to a good start with knocks of 35 and 33 respectively, and Greg Harvey further aided his side’s cause with a quick-fire, 11-boundary 72 off 65 balls.

Adam Tidswell was the pick of the home bowling attack, claiming two wickets for the loss of 59 runs, with Danny Pryde and Kieron Tidswell the others to claim scalps during a testing time in the field for the hosts.

Despite some promising looking knocks from the home side, they were unable to get anywhere near their required target and were all out for 132 from 42 overs at the crease.

Rhys Jones eventually top scored for the hosts with a knock of 33, with the likes of Gareth Leonard (30), Sheil Sethi (25), Kieron Tidswell (19) and Matthew Edwards (12) all failing to build on their openings which proved to be crucial to the overall outcome.

This came thanks to a standout bowling display from Wilkinson, who secured a five-wicket haul for the loss of just 35 runs from a dominant 12-over spell.

Others to stand out were James Dixon and Huzaifa Zubair, who claimed two victims apiece at the combined expense of 46.