Woodhall Spa stun league leaders Sleaford

But on this occasion, big hitter Tayyab Tahir contributed just 23 runs.

Instead it was Prasanna Jayawardene who anchored the innings with 41 and Ollie Caswell with 50 who were the mainstays of the innings.

Caswell and Oliver Carr (23 not out) added 50 for the sixth wicket and the lower order helped the final total to 200-8, a seemingly modest score for Sleaford to chase.

However, the league leaders were soon in trouble against the bowling of Kieran Richardson and Dan Pawson who, from 40-1, reduced them to 51-6 in the 14th over.

The pair continued to bowl tightly and this quickly became 53-8.

Drew Habron, who had earlier taken three Spa wickets, staged a rearguard resistance with 27, but the final wicket fell in the 27th over with the score on 89, Pawson with 4-24 off 10 overs and Richardson 4-35 off nine.

This defeat closed the gap at the top, Scunthorpe moving into second only nine points behind Sleaford after a hard-fought win over Grantham in which Priyanshu Khanduri hit an unbeaten 122. Just 26 points now separate the top six sides in the division with Bourne, Bracebridge Heath and Burghley Park all winning.

Bracebridge celebrated double centuries in their victory over Grimsby Town, now in sixth place, Amartya Kaul hitting 100 and Krish Barla 102 and sharing a fourth wicket stand of 154.

And Josh Weller contributed 118 in Burghley Park’s win at Spalding.

In Championship North, Nettleham and Messingham continue to contest the lead, Nettleham five points ahead of their rivals after beating Barton Town while Messingham defeated Market Rasen, Liam Andrews hitting 100 not out.

Alkborough moved clear of the relegation zone after Jacob Render took 6-39 to help overcome Cleethorpes seconds and Jacob Smith hit 111 in Scothern’s win over Lindum seconds.

Tom Shipman took 5-28 to keep Newborough at the top of Championship South while Market Deeping stayed in the hunt with a win over Ketton Sports.

In Division Two North, Horncastle were beaten by three wickets at home to Lindum thirds.

Asked to bat first, Horncastle were all out for 115.

Finn Fisher dug in with a gutsy 39 not out, but Alex Belletty (3-28) and Charlie Swainson (3-44) shared six wickets.

The Lindum reply was far from straightforward as they struggled on 36-4 and 69-5.

But Jamie Wardman stuck around with a crucial 46, and the game was won as Callum Harrison smashed Steve West for a big six to ease Lindum to a winning 120-7.

Woodall Spa seconds won by 14 runs against Castor & Ailsworth in Division One South.

Callum Kopp (60) and Matthew Sargeant (51) led the way while Dewi Bourke and Peter Jackson both claimed three wickets.