Highgate’s hopes of extending their advantage at the top were dashed as Winchmore Hill’s seventh-wicket pair hung on to force a winning draw.

The league leaders posted 250-9 and then reduced their hosts to 93-5 in reply, but they were thwarted by an unbroken partnership of 78 between Mark Barrell and Siran Seevaratnam.

Highgate’s Jack Peck said: “We were all frustrated as we felt we threw away three points at least, but credit must go to the Winchmore Hill batsmen.

“If someone had said that, after 11 games, we’d still be undefeated then I’d have thought they were mad!”

Highgate were put in to bat and Chris Arul (61) gave them a good start before Hashen Ramanayake took over with an excellent knock of 88.

Ramanayake eventually became one of five victims for Seevaratnam, but support from Freddie Barrass (21) and Will Brookes (31 not out) guided the visitors to 250-9 from 55 overs.

Winchmore Hill reached 37 without loss, but a cluster of wickets from Ed Foster (3-45) put them on the back foot and Scott Thaxton, Craig Gourlay and Brookes all picked up a wicket apiece.

However, Highgate were unable to shift Barrell, who finished unbeaten on 74, and Seevaratnam (42no), who steered their side to 220-6.

Meanwhile, North London’s recent revival came to a halt as they suffered a narrow three-wicket defeat at Harrow. Yasir Hashmi top scored in NL’s innings of 207, but the home side squeezed past the target with seven wickets down.