STRUGGLING Kidderminster crawled off the bottom of the Birmingham and District Premier League when they held on for a draw against Barnt Green.

But the town side still remain in relegation peril after only gaining seven points out of the Worcestershire derby at Chester Road.

Despite a positive bowling and fielding display dismissing the visitors for 179 in 53.1 overs, Kidderminster's batsmen were unable to take advantage of a realistic target.

Barnt Green, asked to bat first, suffered an early setback with the loss of Richard Hall to the first ball of Phil Newport's second over.

However, the rest of the top order made valuable contributions with Nick Boulton (55) and Simon Froggatt (41) posting the best partnership of 63 for the fourth wicket.

Both were removed by Mandeep Singh who made a welcome return to form by taking 3-65.

Two of his wickets were assisted by wicket-keeper James Pipe who first took a leg-side stumping off a wide to remove Boulton.

Pipe then held the ball sharply to dismiss former Worcestershire spinner Richard Illingworth before claiming two further catches.

When Froggatt departed with the score on 166-5, the Green innings crumbled for only 13 runs in the next seven overs.

Skipper Mark Mansell wrapped up the tail-enders with 3-23 and Newport took 2-30.

With the target of 180 to win in 56 overs, Kidderminster could hardly have made a worse start.

Kris Howes, who took eight wickets in the first match between the two sides, caused further havoc by removing Amit Sharma and Mansell in the first over for 0.

In the next over, Pipe crashed 10 off four balls before running himself out and Singh was clean bowled two overs later.

Kaleen Ashraf became Howes' third victim in the 11th over and at 24-5, the home side looked desperate again.

But Newport was on hand to steady the game, partnering Richard Bradford to patiently add 41 before the latter was stumped for 20.

Newport was then joined by Godfrey Lamb and they continued the recovery with 38.

However, the return of Howes to the attack brought a halt to any hope of a home victory as Newport was caught behind for 47.

Four overs later, the bowler completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Rob Symonds for a duck.

But Lamb (34no) and Ted Baylis (4no) kept their nerve to play out the last nine overs and finish on 128-8.

The result allowed Kidderminster to leap over WB Dartmouth who lost against leaders Stratford.

But they are still 19 points from safety with the end of the season close and an important home game with high-flying Halesowen on Saturday.

Barnt Green 179 (11 points), Kidderminster 128-8 (7).

After being at 51-0 and 86-2, Kidderminster seconds collapsed to 128 all out and Leamington reached the required target with five wickets left.

On a damp Leamington wicket, the visitors capitulated in 45.1 overs with only Paul Vinas (29), Gavin Evans (24) and Craig Wood (20) showing any resistance.

Leamington had little difficulty in knocking off the runs but Marc Derrick picked up 3-62.

Kidderminster 128 (3 points), Leamington 129-5 (20).

Fixtures, Saturday: 1sts v Halesowen (12.30pm), Bedworth v 2nds (1pm), Bridewell v 3rds (1.30pm). Sunday: 1sts v Pershore (1.30pm), Pershore v 2nds (1.30pm).