Halesowen CC’s inconsistent season continued as they slumped to a seven wicket home defeat to Fordhouses.

Chris Guest took four wickets for the visitors as the hosts were dismissed for just 140 at Seth Somers Park.

Pirm Kalair then struck a fluent 61 to help Fordhouses reach the target inside 33 overs.

It was Halesowen’s second defeat in succession and a serious blow to their hopes of promotion from Birmingham League Division Two.

Instead, they could still find themselves in a relegation scrap after a disappointing loss to a side who started the day in the bottom two.

Hassan Quami top scored for the hosts with 54 but they could find no answer to Guest, while Jatin Kohli also picked up three wickets.

Mark Hutchinson hit an unbeaten 26 as the tail wagged to leave their final total at 140. Only one other home batsman reached double figures.

Dan Jeavons, Asif Khan and Andy Roberts snared a wicket each to give the hosts hope early in the visitors reply.

But opener Imran Qadir hit 32 before Kalair took the attack the bowlers, hitting several boundaries as he saw his side home.