Cheshire once again failed to press home the advantage having got into a strong position in their three-day Minor Counties Championship draw against Dorset.

Following defeat to Shropshire and a frustrating draw with Wales, Danny Leech’s side started brightly in their bid to record an overdue win, posting 375 for seven declared, with Leech making a superbly crafted 112, while Furqan Shafiq added 63 and Will Evans smashed 71.

Danny Woods then shone with the ball as his 4-66 helped dismiss Dorset for just 211, Wayne White taking 3-47 as the visitors collapsed from being 169 for two, Luke Webb making 73.

Leech enforced the follow-on with Dorset 164 runs behind, but second time around the visiting county batted much better and managed to stave off defeat on 312 for eight on a rain-affected final day.

Ed Ellis made a century while Webb struck 76 and despite the best efforts of Woods (5-116 off 45 overs), Cheshire couldn’t get over the line.

Cheshire now travel to face Cornwall in Truro from August 5-7, before home matches against Berkshire at Chester Boughton Hall (August 19-21) and Herefordshire at Alderley Edge (September 2-4).

The Unicorns T20 Finals Day takes place at Wormsley CC on Sunday, August 26, with Cheshire facing Norfolk in the first semi-final for the right to play Berkshire or Devon in the final.