North Enfield Cricket Club's 1st XI suffered a frustrating defeat against Northampton Exiles in Division 4B of the Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League, despite producing a spirited fightback with both bat and ball.
After being dismissed for 131, North Enfield looked well placed to pull off an unlikely victory when they reduced the visitors to 107-7.
However, Northampton Exiles held their nerve to reach their target and secure a three-wicket win.
Oliver Munt (2-29) made the perfect start for the hosts, striking with his second delivery as an opener edged onto his stumps.
Matthew Hodgins (1-18) soon joined in, removing the other opener to leave the visitors under pressure.
Although Northampton Exiles quickly chipped away at their target, North Enfield refused to let the game drift away.
Accurate bowling and sharp fielding kept the visitors in check and gave the hosts hope of an unlikely comeback.
Freddie Pearson (4-40) starred with the ball, striking with his first delivery before producing an excellent spell of pace bowling as the Exiles slumped to 84-6.
Two wickets came via catches behind by wicketkeeper Chris Gillman, while captain Ishan Tilakaratna also held a catch at cover before Pearson clean bowled another batter.
A seventh-wicket stand of 23 briefly settled the visitors, but Munt struck again to trap Northampton Exiles' number eight lbw and keep the contest alive.
However, the Exiles captain stood firm, finishing unbeaten on 45 to guide his side over the line and secure maximum points.
North Enfield were left to rue a batting performance that saw wickets fall at crucial moments.
The hosts were rocked early, slipping to 2-1 after just four deliveries as Freddie Pearson was bowled without scoring and William Munt was run out for one.
Tom Coughlan led the resistance with a well-made 53, sharing partnerships of 44 with Tilakaratna (32) and 53 with Will Grisedale (13).
But when Coughlan was spectacularly caught on the boundary, the innings unravelled as the last five wickets fell for only 15 runs.
Despite the defeat, North Enfield collected nine points and will look to bounce back against Hoddesdon this weekend.
Elsewhere, the club's 2nd XI suffered a 133-run defeat against St Margaretsbury and will hope for a stronger showing when they face Hatfield Hyde next week.
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