BANGOR saw their advantage at the North Wales Cricket League Premier Division summit reduced after a dramatic one-run home loss to Mochdre that went to the final ball.

The pacesetters were unable to come away with the necessary runs from the last delivery of the contest to suffer the narrowest of reverses, which leaves them just two points clear of Menai Bridge ahead of their trip to Brymbo on Saturday.

Despite losing opener Gareth Goodson (0) to a Michael Hughes delivery early on, the visitors managed to post an imposing total of 261-9 from their allotted 50 overs in the middle.

Leading the way was middle order batsman James French, who hit seven boundaries on his way to an unbeaten knock of 54, with Stewart Williams and skipper Matty Humphreys also in fine form before they were both ousted from the crease by Franco Kasner after contributing 49 and 45 respectively.

Another notable score came from Alex Davies, who hit a quick-fire 39 from 26 deliveries, and Sam Davies made a promising 29 from just 25 balls.

Nadeem Rehman was the standout home bowler, taking a five-wicket haul for the loss of 43 runs, and Kasner ended the day on 3-46 to continue his fine start to life in a Bangor shirt.

Things did not begin well for the hosts as Idrees Ijaz and Sion Evans were removed by Goodson and Sean Reilly for six and 15, and Rehman was sent back to the pavilion by Humphreys on 27.

In-form batsman David Winter steadied the ship with a knock of 57 from 69 deliveries, and Kasner’s 61 from 62 ensured the contest was heading for a nervy conclusion.

Robbie Marshall (16), Matty Haswell (34) and Michael Hughes (13*) tried valiantly to get the home side over the line, but they failed to secure the necessary runs from the final ball of the contest as Bangor made 260-9 in reply.

Humphreys and Goodson both took three wickets apiece for the combined loss of 91 runs.