A COURAGEOUS final-day knock of 133 from stand-in skipper Gary Pratt was not enough to bring Cumberland their first win of the season.

Pratt, who had taken over the leader's reins from the unavailable Marcus Sharp, has been in the national eye this week.

Memories of his pivotal run-out by the substitute fielder to dismiss Aussie skipper Ponting in England's last Ashes win were inevitably revived in the current build-up to the series.

Pratt did his best to rise to the occasion with the bat, but ultimately it was a last-wicket partnership for Staffordshire worth 118 that spike Cumberland's hopes.

Staffordshire's final pairing left the hosts facing a target of 295 at Barrow CC's Ernest Pass ground and they eventually lost by 42 runs.

Cumberland had started the match with their bowlers on top, dismissing Staffs for 129, with Wearing taking 3-25, Stead 3-21 and Conway 2-38.

But when it came to Cumberland's turn to bat, they suffered, to, being all out for seven runs short of their rivals' total at 122.

If could have been worse but for Stead's steadfast 61 as wickets fell around him in single figures.

Most of the damage was done by Edwards (4-32) and Willott (4-33).

Staffs lost an early wicket in their reply to stand at 4-1 going into the Monday's second day.

Rain badly affected play when play resumed but Wilshaw and Ballard took the score to 73 before Smith gained the breakthrough.

The introduction of Netherfield spinner Chris Miller (3-56) brought a flurry of wickets, including Wilshaw for 59, as Staff subsided to 112-5.

The middle-order scraped together some runs but at 169-9, Cumberland were not too unhappy.

Instead, last man Purser came to the wicket with a previous-best Minor Counties effort of 14 and proceeded to take the game away from Cumberland with a mix of sturdy defence and powerful hitting.

A last-wicket partnership of 118 left Cumberland wanting 295 to win.

Miller, Cumberland's other wicket-takers were Stead (3-52), Conway (2-23) and Smith (2-70).

Cumberland's second innings began badly when Hey picked up a pair to leave them at 10-1 overnight.

The start to the final day's play on Tuesday failed to offer much hope as Cumberland found themselves at 29-4 with Conway (1), Lowe (16) and Gleave (5) all gone.

Positive work from Stead and Pratt took the score to 94 before Stead departed for 37.

Further wickets fell with Smith (0), Miles (5) and Cole (3) dismissed to reduce the side to 147-8.

Pratt found an ally in Wearing to lift the score to 219 before the latter went for 24.

Miller helped the skipper take the score to 252 before Pratt was eventually out for 133 and Cumberland dismissed for 252 - 42-run defeat. Willott (3-79) and Edwards (3-70) were Staff's best bowlers.