Hussain Shabbir’s innings of 85 could not save North London from defeat to Middlesex Tamils as they slid into the bottom half of the Middlesex County League Division Three table, being overtaken by South Hampstead.

Shabbir, who shared a second-wicket stand of 91 with Simon Mintoft, steered the home side into a strong position as they chased 246 to boost their hopes of promotion.

But the last six North London wickets tumbled for just 18 runs as the Tamils triumphed to go second in the table and open up a 20-point gap over their opponents.

Having won the toss, the visitors established a solid platform through Sharuvinothan Yoganathan (24) and Kisho Sathasivam (17) before Nalaka De Silva (37) and Rifas Hameed (59) took them to 128-2.

But they were pegged back by James Battcock (3-44), who dismissed De Silva, Birundhavan Sambath (0) and Raghukulan Loganathan (9) in quick succession.

Hameed was bowled by Jordan Gregory (4-51) as the Tamils slumped to 177-6, but Dunston Edward added 19 and Ashok Andrews ensured that the tail wagged firmly with an unbeaten 47.

He and Rukshan Silva (19) added 51 for the ninth wicket before Gregory wrapped up the innings at 245 with dismissals from successive deliveries in the 50th over.

NL lost Milo Jennings for a second-ball duck, bowled by Menakrishna Poonambalam at the start of their reply, but Shabbir and Mintoft (31) lifted them to 95-1.

Kavithasan Kannathasan (4-24) broke the partnership by having Mintfot stumped, but it was Andrews (3-53) who inflicted the fatal blows on NL by removing Sam Bardon (10) and then Shabbir.

Will Lake also fell to Andrews after hitting a quick 15 and the home side were never able to recover their rhythm as Kannathasan strangled the innings with six maidens from his 16 overs.

And North London could not hang on for a point, with Tom Wakeford (6) bowled by Yoganathan to finish off the innings at 178 in the 47th over.

South Hampstead took advantage by securing their first away win of the season at Harrow Town and moving up into fifth spot.

Felix Walker led the way with the ball and bat, taking 3-24 as Town were bowled out for 117 and then hitting 61 off 58 deliveries as SH reached 118-6 in the 30th over and moved within 14 points of the top two.