SIMON Hole led a spectacular run chase that just failed to bring Oxford the first win of their campaign at Finchampstead in Division 1 on Saturday.

Needing 253 for a victory that would have taken them off the bottom of the table, Oxford finished on 247-8 in an exciting draw, with Hole contributing 78.

Oxford inserted the home side and had them in big trouble at 108-6, with the wickets being shared around.

Paul Carter, who made 96, led a good recovery after lunch by the Berkshire club in a seventh-wicket stand of 92.

They were all out in the 65th and final over for 252. Oxford's best bowler was Shamilal Mendis, who finished with 4-23 from his 7.3 overs as he wrapped up the tail.

While opener Hole was in, Oxford looked like achieving their target, but his run out proved crucial.

Jonno Evans led a late chase for victory with an unbeaten 37, but the task of scoring 12 runs from the final over proved just beyond them.

The result leaves Oxford bottom, four points behind Reading.