Hesketh give themselves chance of survival by snookering Triangle

FLEETWOOD Hesketh recorded a crucial first win in six games against high-flying Orrell Red Triangle to ease their relegation fears this season.

New captain Paul Mullen - who replaced Scott Rimmer several weeks ago due to work commitments - recorded his maiden victory in charge of the strugglers after a dismal run of six straight defeats.

Red Triangle are second in the division and had lost just two of their previous ten fixtures in league competition as they arrived at Sea Cop.

Hesketh’s dreadful run of form - which had seen the slip to within a place of the drop-zone - looked to be continuing as Mullen’s decision to bat first backfired.

Fleetwood have struggled with the bat all season and only Huw Summerfield (25) and Geeth Arachchige (24) managed to score more than 15 runs as Afaq Sartaj ran riot with the ball.

The Triangle bowler finished with impressive figures of 5-20 on his way to skittling Hesketh for a measly 104 - but the game was far from over.

At 34-2, Orrell seemed to be plodding towards their target until Gavin Dickenson and Ryan Thomas combined to complete a thrilling victory.

The pair snared five wickets apiece - with Dickenson’s coming for a loss of just 29 runs - as they reduced the title challengers to 88 all out after 34 overs bowled.

Mullen’s men are far from out of the woods in the fight against relegation, as they sit 35 points clear of secondbottom Liverpool with 100 points remaining to play four.

With four games still to play, Hesketh have a massive opportunity to record a second win in succession as they face bottom side Burscough on Saturday.

Burscough haven’t won in six and are 32 points short of safety.