Leigh slipped to the bottom of the standings following their home loss, after Wickford upset the odds to get the better of league leaders Belhus.

Waller’s team had won the toss but failed dismally with the bat, scoring just 103 in 41.4 overs at Chalkwell Park. And this target was surpassed in less than 20 overs, for the loss of three wickets.

And Waller said he felt Leigh now need to win their final two matches if they are to maintain their Division Two status.

“They bowled well and we didn’t bat too well and if you are out for 100 it will be hard to win,” he said.

“We are in a position where we have to win now, and with only two games left we have put ourselves in a tricky spot.

“The Wickford result was a real shock for all of us and a blow when we heard it in the clubhouse. We were surprised but it is still very close and a win can change everything.

“We have a derby next up at Old Southendian so we know what we have to do.”

Iain McDonald hit 30 at the top of the Leigh order, but the following four batsmen scored just nine runs between them to leave the hosts in trouble.

Billy King’s 26 anchored the innings slightly but he never had enough support to put Leigh on the path to a steady total.

Oakfield’s Selvam Ramasamy took 3-16 from 12 overs in a fine spell.

Ramya Upadhyay’s unbeaten 48 saw the away side across the line.

Wickford secured the result of the weekend with an eight-wicket win over Belhus, thanks to an outstanding bowling display.

Jamie Went (4-23) took care of the opening four batsmen, including Danny and Joe Joyce to leave a beleaguered Belhus in need of reinforcements down the order.

But Danny Norris’ 34 was the best they could manage as they tumbled all out for 122 in 44.1 overs.

Along with Went, David Cole (3-26) and Dan Pryke (3-36) finished off the Belhus attack.

Paul Corps (13) and Dale Kinsley (30) were dismissed in reply but Dean Etchells’ 61 was emphatic and ensured Wickford’s victory, and lifted them off the bottom of the standings for the first time in months.

Old Southendian & Southchurch shared the points with Horndon, in a keenly contested draw.

The Old Boys lost the toss and Horndon racked up a good total, with Damien Sweet’s 103 hugely impressive.

Gary Ginsburgh hit 50 as Horndon tallied 230 in 47.4 overs, with James Bunce (4-70) and Matt Austin (3-32) the pick of the bowlers.

Old Southendian started well, with their first four batsmen contributing well but they couldn’t get across the line as the tail failed to offer significant resistance.

David Johnson (58), Max Craddock (32), Matt Wilson (20) and Aaron Lucas (50 not out) impressed as they closed on 190-7.

Jeff West (3-60) and Ryan Madder (3-71) bowled well for Horndon.