Lostock Cricket Club have ended their season-long dispute with the Bolton Association - by joining the Manchester Association.

The club were suspended at the end of the season after failing to provide the league with adequate assurances over the future of their pitch, which is subject to development.

However, a meeting of their players' decided to give their committee a mandate to seek election to the Manchester Association, and their application has been formally accepted, ending a 30-year stay in the Bolton Association.

A statement on the club's website said: "The decision is a huge relief to the club which could literally have been faced with extinction, sadly because of the actions of the BDCA executive following their decision to "suspend" senior cricket at the club at the end of the 2005 season.

"The BDCA refused to hear an appeal from the club, and then when we turned to the Lancashire Cricket Board to either hear the appeal or arbitrate on our behalf, they once again refused to co-operate. "

Lostock's departure means the Bolton Association are now reduced to 13 clubs, as Clifton left at the end of the season to join the Central Lancashire League.