A half-century and four wickets from allrounder Fi Morris sealed a rare win for struggling Lancashire against Metro Bank One-Day Cup leaders The Blaze.

The Red Rose, who have endured a disappointing season in both formats, successfully defended a target of 239 against The Blaze who could only make 211 all out in reply despite 64 from Tammy Beaumont.

Under grey Blackpool skies, Lancashire got off to a stodgy start and had reached just 32 when Eve Jones was bowled by Charley Phillips for 14.

Opening partner Emma Lamb fell three overs later attempting a hook shot off Emma Jones which she could only edge through to keeper Ella Claridge for 21.

With returning Australian Katie Mack departing in the 16th over, stumped off Charli Knott, Lancashire were struggling at 68 for 3 and in desperate need of a partnership.

Their hopes worsened with skipper Ellie Threlkeld’s dismissal, lbw attempting to sweep Phillips, which left the Red Rose 91 for 4 and in danger of capitulation.

Up stepped Seren Smale and Morris as the fifth wicket pair built the innings’ defining partnership with the latter’s half-century coming off 63 balls in the 39th over.

Morris was stumped off Knott and Smale departed for 51 but the pair had added 94 runs and gave the platform for Danielle Collins (22) and Kate Cross (14) to boost the score in the latter stages before Lancashire’s effort closed on 239 all out off the final ball of the innings.

With the sun coming out, The Blaze made the most of the conditions and eased their way to 50 without loss in the tenth over.

It took until the 15th over for Vinali Weerappuli to make the breakthrough with the wicket of Marie Kelly who skied a delivery to mid-off for 32.

The 16-year-old legbreak bowler was enjoying herself and next accounted for Knott stumped for three before Morris then dispatched Georgia Elwiss and Emma Jones in successive overs to leave the visitors 98 for 4 and in a spot of bother.

A watchful Beaumont remained and she brought up her half-century in the 29th over off 77 balls. She looked to be the key wicket and it was the spin of Hannah Jones that claimed the prize when the England international was bowled for 64 quickly followed by Ella Claridge who was stumped for two to hand Morris her third wicket.

Morris struck again as Prisha Thanawala (39) holed out to Cross and when Grace Ballinger did the same off Cross, The Blaze were 185 for 8. It was left to Potts and Cross to claim the final two wickets as Lancashire registered a much-needed 28-run win.