North Middlesex suffered another setback in their bid to stay in the Premier Division title race as they suffered their second successive defeat.

It was a similar story to the previous week’s loss to Ealing, with Twickenham escaping from a vulnerable position at 106-8 to post 189 on their home turf – and those runs proved crucial as North Midd were bowled out for 130, with Parminder Singh taking 6-38.

Nonetheless, all five of North Midd’s senior teams are placed fourth or better in their respective leagues, and two of them sit at the top, so the Park Road club have everything to play for in the last four weeks of the season.

Twickenham elected to bat on a dry, dusty wicket and their opening pair reached 38 – but they then lost four wickets for just five runs, with Ed Bird (3-32) taking three of them.

Shawn Hicks (49) and Carlos Nunes (36) halted the slide with a stand of 59 but visiting captain Tom Nicoll (4-72) then sparked another collapse as four wickets fell with just four runs added, leaving the hosts 106-8.

The half-hour after lunch were always going to be crucial and North Midd were unable to maintain their momentum. Hicks and Rashid Mullahzadah (37) took the attack to the bowlers, putting on 51 for the ninth wicket, which was followed by a 32-run pairing which left Twickenham with a competitive total of 189.

North Midd were quickly in trouble at 16-3 in reply as Mullahzadah (2-42) and spinner Singh removed both openers, Atif Zafar and Joe Cracknell, for ducks while Will Vadnerspar followed for 14.

Evan Flowers (32) tried to start a revival and Nicoll struck around to make 66 but none of his partners could stay with him as the away team fell 59 runs short after 37.4 overs.