LANCASTER's recent run of poor form continued on Saturday with the game heavily affected by rain.
Preston won the toss and elected to bat, opening with Sajid Patel and youngster Fayaz Ughardar.
Lancaster's openers tied the pair down for some ti
me, Danny Milligan bowling Patel (seven) to make the breakthrough.
Lukman Vahaluwala came to the crease and it wasn't long before he started playing his shots. After he had run out Ughardar (six), professional Bilal Asad joined him, the two scoring freely.
Asad (88 not out), in particular was inventive against the spin of Michael Walling and Iain Burstow, not allowing the bowlers to settle.
Only one more wicket fell, Walling (1-34) drawing Vahaluwala (43) down the wicket, Brendan Hetherington taking the bails off.
When the rain came Preston were left on 165 from 34 overs, unable to restart in time to complete their innings.
With Michael Stevens unable to bat, a hand injury caused by a sharp caught and bowled chance, Burstow opened and he and Jamie Heywood set about chasing down Preston's total.
But Lancaster didn't get the start they needed.
Tight bowling from Vahaluwala (1-29) and Asad (1-10) restricted Lancaster. Heywood (three) was bowled and Walling (three) went shortly after.
Second team captain Iain Parkinson (23) battled hard in difficult circumstances.
With 20 overs constituting a game, Preston rattled off their overs. Rain did come after 18 overs but not for long.
Lancaster were left playing out the overs, Burstow (25 not out) and particularly professional Wassem Khan (30 not out) providing some late entertainment in a disappointing game.
* LANCASTER'S Daniel Milligan picked up 4-35 for Lancashire U19s last week in their warm up match against the U17s side at Wigan Cricket Club.
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