A vital ninth wicket stand saved Bowdon from almost certain defeat in their vital Cheshire ECB Premier League clash with relegation rivals Didsbury.
It also lessened their chance of a rapid return to Division One with only five points now separating the bottom two clubs.
Didsbury totalled 220 for eight, their top scorers being skipper Nick Anderson 50 and Simon Normanton 49, while Gareth Edwards claimed 4-80.
Bowdon lost their top batsmen cheaply and faced a significant defeat at 117 for eight until a fine unbroken stand between Trevor Gane and Mark Leathley added 104 which saw them home with three balls remaining. Skipper Anderson did his best with 4-56 and Jonny Fawcett took 3-78.
Said Anderson: “We needed just one more wicket to break through, but credit to the two Bowdon batsmen. That was a big win for them”.
Didsbury now need to look over their shoulders as Macclesfield came up with their second successive victory, by five wickets at home to Marple.
On a fine cricket wicket prepared by groundsman Chris Moores, Marple scored 216 for eight several batsmen getting started but failing to finish, notably Andrew Hall 49 and Mark Bennett 46.
Ian Tait took 3-50 while a feature of Macc’s efforts was their outstanding ground fielding which probably prevented their visitors from reaching 250.
Macc replied with 218 for five, the now in-form Khalid Sawas, 67, leading the way with Andy Hodgson coming up trumps at the death with an unbeaten 51 and Ben Morrison playing a skipper’s innings of 47.
There was no change at the top of the table where Neston and Chester Boughton Hall both recorded impressive victories.
Neston restricted a Toft team with an average age of 22 to a total of 235 for eight at Parkgate, Rob Jones, 56, Josh Hancock, 55, Ed Stubbs 44 against the variety of Andy Clarke who mixed spin and pace to claim 5-55 plus three catches.
Neston replied with 236 for four, form man Luke Camden 71, Clarke 39 not out and Dane Williams 38.
Nantwich opted to bat first at Chester and were totalled a decent 228, Liam Livingstone 97, Warren Goodwin 3-38, Jordan Clark 3-58. Not available earlier in the season, Mark Rowland top-scored with 92, aided by Goodwin 62 and Lee Dixon 55 as Chester replied with 229 for three and remain nine points behind.
Hyde could be about to make a late title bid on the form they showed in winning by 122 runs at third-placed Grappenhall. Danny Berry, 83 and Tom Twiney, 82 enjoyed an opening stand worth 142 in Hyde’s tally of 262, Luke Williams 4-63, Jack Critchley 4-68.
Grappers’ normally strong batting failed against Scott Kirwin whose 5-44 sent them packing for 140, Josh McClelland 65 not out.
Oxton ended a bad patch with a 60 runs home victory over Alderley Edge. Batting at nine Gayan Fernando, 47 not out helped Oxton recover from 141 for seven to reach 215 for eight, Jason Whittsker 3-45.
Alderley were all out for a disappointing 155, Calum Rowe 70, Andy Birley produced the day’s best premiership bowling figures with 5-33.