BURNLEY cricketers had one eye on England's Test match during their home game with league leaders NELSON.

With former opening bowler James Anderson in action against South Africa they had an understandably keen interest in the goings on at Trent Bridge.

But after seeing off the table-toppers all eyes are now fixed on finishing in the top three at the end of the season.

Steven Holden scored the winning run through point after his four-wicket haul in the first innings, which helped to dismiss Nelson for 117 in 37.1 overs.

The lower order batsman admitted he didn't expect to be needed at the crease in the home side's reply at Turf Moor but said: "It was pleasing to get the winning run."

The 22-year-old also paid tribute to middle order batsman Gareth Halley for his vital contribution.

"Gareth batted really well," he said. "He played a really sensible innings. He's the sort of player who can go in and get you a quick 30 or 40 runs.

"Usually he'll hit a four and then try for another boundary straight away and sometimes get out from that.

"But yesterday he hit a four, then a defensive shot, and he batted well with Michael Kelly."

Now Holden is hopeful Burnley will earn a top-three finish, and the medium pace man believes that would be a fantastic but deserved achievement for the young team.

"We've made hard work of a lot of games this season and been a little inconsistent, but that's only to be expected because we have quite a young side," he said.

"I didn't expect to be batting but we lost a couple of late wickets. Chasing 117, though, we were always in the driving seat.

"It wasn't a 117 or 118-run wicket though, probably more like a 220-run wicket.

"It makes a change for the bowlers to get the upper hand in the summer heat but as a side we bowled really well, as did Stuart Lemon, Joe Scuderi and Danny Kegg for Nelson.

"We were obviously really pleased when we bowled them out because we'd fielded well too, but suddenly we were struggling as well.

"But we managed to get the winning runs and I think it was a case of Nelson getting us on a good day.

"We've beaten the top three sides in the league this season and the top sides have all got to play each other. But if we can keep winning we could finish in the top three, which would be a great achievement."

EAST LANCS went to the top of the table as they notched a 10-run win over RISHTON.

Darren Eccles made a patient 53 from 108 balls, including four fours as East Lancs made 182-8, but in the run-chase Rishton collapsed from 128-3 to 138-9 before some tail-end lusty blows brought the score nearer to the required total.

BACUP moved into third with an eight wicket success over RAWTENSTALL.

The home side's professional Shaun Young made an unbeaten 75 as they overhauled Rawtenstall's total of 126, which included 65 from paid man Mike Smith.

Andre Seymore hit an unbeaten 100 as ACCRINGTON beat CHURCH by six wickets and there was a knock of 114 not out from sub professional Sajith Fernando as LOWERHOUSE won by four wickets at COLNE.

Paid man Ben Higgins had struck 94 in Colne's 137-5 but Fernando, aided by 52 from Qasim Ali, saw Lowerhouse through to victory.

Professional Martin van Jaarsveld made a stunning 150 not out as ENFIELD notched a 72-run win at home to TODMORDEN, while RAMSBOTTOM were four wicket winners over HASLINGDEN - David Bell starring with 74 not out for the victors.