ONLY 20 points separate the four leading teams in the Bradford League First Division after a day of drama saw top two Pudsey St Lawrence and Woodlands beaten.

Saints went down to an agonising one-run defeat at Hanging Heaton – their fourth loss in five matches – but they still lead the table by 12 points because nearest challengers Woodlands were surprisingly beaten in a low-scoring match at East Bierley.

Woodlands were bowled out for a mere 73 in 25 overs, with only Chris Brice (23) and Logan Weston (10) making double figures as Awais Ejaz took 6-31 and Richard Atkins 4-31.

Bierley also struggled as the visitors reduced them to 58-6 before former Woodlands player Nick Rushworth (31) and overseas player Haziq Tareen (12) guided them home without further loss.

There was plenty of drama at Hanging Heaton, who were bowled out for 211 with one over remaining, leaving St Lawrence an extra over in which to reach their target.

Although wickets fell at regular intervals, they still looked set for victory at 207-8 with only five needed to win but top scorer Callum Goldthorp was run out for 61 off the last ball of the match with his side two short of victory. Gary Fellows took three of the last four wickets in a decisive spell of three overs.

Earlier, Hanging Heaton were indebted to consistent batting by Ismail Dawood (41), David Stiff (37) and Ian Philliskirk (36).

Defending champions Cleckheaton are only 16 points behind the leaders after their six-wicket win at Undercliffe. Pace bowlers Iain Wardlaw (5-86) and Curtis Free (4-27) were the chief wicket-takers as Undercliffe were bowled out for 165, in which Fahim Ashraf was top scorer with 55. Opener Andrew Gorrod then led Cleckheaton to victory with 112 not out, including five sixes and 18 fours.

Farsley remain in the bottom two after a 55-run home defeat against Bradford & Bingley. Ryan Cooper was top scorer with 110 not out as Bingley totalled 294-6, with teenager Hamzah Iqbal (56), Noman Ali (46no) and Chris Thompson (35) giving good support.

The home side were in trouble at 76-6 before Yorkshire all-rounder James Wainman led a revival. He scored 129 not out before Farsley were bowled out for 239, with Ali taking 6-53.

Lightcliffe are just two points ahead of Farsley after a 112-run defeat at Pudsey Congs. Callum Geldart top-scored with 118 in Congs’ total of 232-7. James Pearson (4-33) and Joshua Holling (3-17) turned the screw as Lightcliffe were bowled out for 120.

Bottom club Saltaire lost by nine runs at home to New Farnley despite a fine all-round performance by overseas player Lanev Chauhan. He took 5-69 in the visitors’ total of 252-9 and then scored 70 in Saltaire’s brave bid for victory before the home side were bowled out for 243, with Farnley skipper Mark Lawson taking 6-61. Lee Goddard (62) and James Middlebrook (47) were top scorers for the away side.