BROCKHAMPTON'S lead in the Crusader Worcestershire County League Division 2 has been cut to 54 points after a two-wicket defeat at fellow promotion hopefuls Feckenham.

An injury to the experienced Ian Macklin, who dislocated a shoulder while fielding, upset the balance of the villagers' bowling attack and proved crucial in contributing to only their second league reverse of the campaign.

Brockhampton, however, underachieved with the bat and lost wickets at important stages as the visitors were restricted to a disappointing 208-8.

An undefeated 66 from James Mason held Brockhampton's innings together, with wicket-keeper Nick Price (40), Ashley Nahorniak (23) and Mohsin Arif (23) also making important contributions.

South African Roos snapped 4-60 and was the pick of the Feckenham bowling attack and impressed with his medium-paced away swingers.

Feckenham lost an early wicket and were tottering at 110-5 when King (50) and captain Andy Fletcher (35) combined for a match-winning stand.

But Brockhampton were still very much in command when Macklin, having bagged 2-25, was taken to hospital .

The home side took full advantage of the villagers' depleted bowling attack to achieve victory in the 49th over.

Pakistani pace-man Mahmood Malik was Brockhampton's most successful bowler, taking 4-111 from 23 overs.

County rivals Hereford City remain in trouble after slipping to a three-wicket defeat against mid-table Alvechurch & Hopwood at the Racecourse.

Hereford were soon in trouble at 13-3 in the sixth over but they were bolstered by an 80-run fourth-wicket partnership between David Mokler (36) and Ashley Brown (49) and then a 45-run stand between Brown and Richard Wood (79).

Hereford finished on 226-7, but Alvechurch made a flying start and then batted steadily to reach the target in the 44th over.