NETHERTON let themselves down with the bat as they fell 40 runs short of victory at league leaders Harborne in Worcester County League Division Three.

Having restricted Harborne to 250 for eight, Netherton then slumped to 210 all out with five overs still remaining.

Skipper Russell Oseland made 35 before being run out while Troy Lee struck top score of 36

Oseland insisted: "We bowled quite well to keep Harborne down to 250 on a small pitch where a par score would be nearer 300.

"We started really well in reply but then lost three or four wickets really close together in the middle part of the innings and that did for us.

"It was a really disappointing result, because if we'd won, it would have taken us into the top two."

Netherton now find themselves in fifth spot but are only 36 points adrift of leaders Harborne.

They entertain second placed side Barlestree and Lugwardine from Hereford this Saturday and Oseland added: "It's a game we need to win if we're going to continue our promotion push."

Netherton will be missing Andy Lewis who fractured his hand while fielding against Harborne.

They are already without Simon Oseland who is suffering from a broken knuckle, both players in danger of missing the remainder of the season, while strike bowler Dominic Priest is still absent from the attack.