Oxford's disappointing season in the Serious Cricket Home Counties League continued when they suffered an agonising one-wicket defeat away to high-riding Tring Park in Division 1.

Having been bowled out for 180, Oxford – with Brad Sutherland to the fore – made the home side struggle all the way before securing victory with just two balls to spare.

Choosing to bat first, Oxford recovered from the loss of an early wicket to reach 99-3 thanks to handy knocks from Chris Sandbach, Stewart Laudat and overseas signing Ryan Canning.

The innings then went into rapid decline with three wickets falling at 99, including that of skipper Ian Crosby for a duck.

At 138-9, Oxford seemed in dire straits, but No 10 Sutherland went on to the attack, striking an unbeaten 41 off 56 balls with eight fours as he and last man Tom Geeson-Brown added an invaluable 42 runs.

Sutherland continued his great form at the start of the Tring innings, taking three cheap wickets to reduce the highly-rated Tring top order to 7-3.

Former Middlesex player Keith Dutch and Leigh Tomlinson then added 79, and a further good stand put them in charge at 141-4.

Then Oxford spinners Shami Mendis and Francois Vainker captured three quick wickets to set up a tense finish.

It came down to Tring needing three to win off the last over with two wickets left.

Their ninth man fell to the first delivery, but three edgy singles saw Tring to victory and dash brave Oxford’s hopes.