UNDER-STRENGTH Run-corn fell victim to Prestbury's first victory of the season but it is unlikely to save them from relegation to Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division Two.
Chasing 187 for victory, the away side lost their last wicket in the 46th over with four balls left and three runs short of the home side's total.
Electing to field, Runcorn found early success at 28-1 in the seventh over, but then struggled to control their lowly opponents.
The hosts' 186-5 dec came off 44 overs with 57 from opener M Mason and 51 not out by L Barnes the biggest contributions.
Lending a hand were Julian Cheetham (27) and M Constable (25) while wickets for Runcorn went to Jack Weston (2-48), with Steven Sheakey, Steve Foster and Ruan Pretorius snaring one each.
In reply, Runcorn were reduced to 29-3 in the 12th over, but a partnership of 93 for the fourth wicket between Richard Yates (49) and Pretorius (55) took the score to 122-4 in the 30th over.
Andy Booth (10) and Weston (13) had earlier reached double figures.
But once Yates and Pretorius were dismissed, the scoring slowed and Runcorn were all out for 183.
Foster made 16 and Mike Bowan eleven for the visitors.
Prestbury's M Gray (5-61) and J Duffy (4-57) did the bulk of their team's bowling, taking them to 25 points to Runcorn's eight.
