AVONCROFT slumped to a seven-wicket defeat to promotion-chasing Netherton in Worcestershire County League Division Three on Saturday.
After opting to bat Avoncroft looked deep in trouble at 83-5.
However, a sixth-wicket partnership between Daniel Elliott (67) and Jonty Heslop (20) pushed the score to 152 before the latter was removed.
No runs were added for the seventh wicket before Paul Athey hit a quick-fire 21 as Croft were all out for 227.
Matthew Lowe (5-52) did the damage with the ball.
Lowe then crashed an unbeaten 125, which included 20 boundaries and four maximums, and was ably supported by Muhammad Masood (57) as Netherton eased to 227-3.
Croft travel to bottom-of-the-table Malvern on Saturday.
