Horspath fell to the bottom of Division 2 West in the Serious Cricket Home Counties premier League, despite going agonisingly close to pulling off a vital victory as their clash at Harefield ended in a tense draw.

Chasing Harefield’s 175-8 after putting the Middlesex club in to bat, Horspath were struggling at 103-7.

But Will Eason (38no) and Mark Skelton put on 47 in a spirited eighth-wicket stand to spark hopes of a dramatic win.

However, former Zimbabwean Test player Mluleki Nkala dismissed Skelton and Jehan Mohammed in the same over.

Eason and Mohson Rana kept up the chase but, needing ten to win off the last over, fell short at 170-9.

Horspath were left bemoaning a number of decisions as they were reduced to 57-4, before Robbie Eason and Matt O’Connor led the fightback.

In Harefield’s innings, Horspath skipper Adam Krol (3-52) was well supported by his seamers, in particular Skelton (2-29).