There was no repeat of Fakenham's recent Carter Cup win at Horsford at the weekend when the sides fought out a league draw which produced only five points for the relegation-threatened visitors.

There was no repeat of Fakenham's recent Carter Cup win at Horsford at the weekend when the sides fought out a league draw which produced only five points for the relegation-threatened visitors.

Essex batsman Jaik Mickleburgh made his first appearance of the season for Horsford - and marked the occasion with an unbeaten century at Manor Park.

Fakenham are second bottom of the EAPL with 157 points to Halstead's 150.

They are at home to Vauxhall Mallards on Saturday, followed by a home fixture with Swardeston before the last match of the season at Great Witchingham.

Mickleburgh made 128no from 125 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes, while Matthew Warnes added 92 as Horsford racked up an impressive 306 for three.

That target proved way beyond Fakenham's reach, but they comfortably batted out for a draw under new skipper Stephen Gray as Sanjaya Rodrigo (67) and Gayan Wijekoon (74) fired half-centuries.

Bottom side Halstead remain within striking distance of Fakenham after they batted through to a draw against second-placed Saffron Walden.

Horsford (15) drew with Fakenham (5) at Horsford.

Horsford: J Atkinson c Hill b Burton 20, M Warnes c Harvey b Wijekoon 92, J Mickleburgh not out 128, L Caswell c S Gray b Wijekoon 38, R Gilliatt not out 3; extras 24. Total (3 wkts) 306. Bowling: G Wijekoon 18-1-86-2, I Ali 18-4-61-0, T Hood 9-0-54-0, M Burton 7-1-22-1, D Hubbard 10-0-38-0, S Rodrigo 4-0-27-0.

Fakenham: S Rodrigo st Smith b Atkinson 67, J Hill lbw Brown 10, G Wijekoon c-b Findlay 74, S Gray b Warnes 12, P Gray not out 12; extras 1. Total (4 wkts, 50.2 overs) 176. Bowing: N Perry-Warnes 9-1-43-0, L Caswell 3-1-14-0, R Findlay 13.2-3-41-1, C Brown 13-2-29-1, J Atkinson 6-1-20-1, M Warnes 3-0-14-1, M Wilkinson 3-0-15-0.

In Norfolk Alliance Division Two, Fakenham (153) won at Garboldisham (118) with Will Dunger claiming six for 33.

In the West Norfolk League, Fakenham's Division Two side made 149 for nine to Gooderstone's 131. In Division Four, Fakenham had a walkover against Dereham.