DESPITE a superb rearguard action spearheaded by a maiden Minor Counties century from teenager Barney Morgan, Herefordshire’s three-game winning run in the championship came to an end with a 128-run defeat by Shropshire at Eastnor.

At 104-6, chasing 510 to win, Herefordshire seemed well out of the game.

But Morgan’s brilliant unbeaten 147, with 23 fours from 187 balls, underpinned a remarkable rally.

Skipper Pete Burgoyne (40) joined him in a century stand with Alex Wilkinson (16) and Jamie McIlroy (26) chipping in as the target reduced.

And the fun was still not over as Dan Conway (49) hammered eight fours and a six, like McIlroy beating his previous county best and breaking the county 10th wicket record in a stand of 68 with Morgan, before succumbing.

Herefordshire made an excellent start on the first morning despite losing the toss on a baking hot day.

Swing bowler Alex Wilkinson (5-53) ripped through the early order as he picked up four wickets in the first hour.

After that, however, former Worcestershire batsman Alexei Kervezee (158) and Ross Aucott (126) dominated to help the visitors to an impressive 396-9.

After fielding all day in the heat, Herefordshire desperately needed to get through to the close of play unscathed, lost four wickets.

Although opener Jamie Harrison batted well for 38 and Burgoyne (35) and Morgan (33) chipped in, Herefordshire subsided for just 170.

Rather than enforcing the follow-on, Shropshire decided to bat again and made swift progress.

But Tom Cummins picked up 5-69 with the help of good catches in the deep by Alex Phillips and Conway while there was a first Herefordshire wicket for Harrison (1-17 as Shropshire moved on to 280-9 before declaring.

Hereford again made a poor start with five wickets going down with only 46 on the board.

But Cummins continued his day to remember with a debut half-century including nine fours and two sixes before falling just before the close.

Then, Morgan’s superb innings gave Herefordshire hope as he piloted the county side well into the final day’s second session before the last wicket fell.