Three centuries, an eight wicket haul and a tie left Woodhall Spa still needing 13 points to beat off the challenge of Sleaford for the 2013 Readers Lincolnshire ECB Premier League championship.
Prasanna Jayawardene hit one of the centuries, his unbeaten 119 helping the leaders to 355 for six against Spalding who were bowled out for 128.
The other tons and the eight wickets came at Sleaford who faced a tougher game against Skegness. Tim McIntosh scored 103 as the home side reached 263 for nine and soon had the visitors in trouble on 35 for three.
Then Paul Butler joined Jamie Epton (74) in a stand of 187 before Butler fell to Tom Shorthouse. But Shaun Morris, who had already taken two wickets, came back for a second spell of bowling which brought him six wickets for four runs in just four overs and gave him figures of 8-39 as Skegness were all out for 233.
Lindum also found themselves in trouble against title challengers Bracebridge Heath, losing their first two wickets for just 12 runs.
But Karanjit Bansal joined William Wright to take the score to 63 and when the fourth wicket fell on 68, Wright and Luke Robinson (57) shared a partnership of 97. Wright made 64 as Lindum finished on 196 for nine, a total that looked well within reach as Bracebridge made it to 78 without loss.
But Bansal then took three wickets for the addition of only six runs and joined forces with Jon Miller to bowl the visitors out for 133, Bansal with five for 45 and Miller 5-29.
Neither side can catch Woodhall but both still have the runners-up slot in their sights should Sleaford get less than six points from their final match.
At Bourne, Grimsby made 263 for seven from their 55 overs, Harry Warwick hitting 79. Conrad Louth then made 95 as Bourne pursued their target, only for the final wicket to fall on 263. Grimsby now need to beat Sleaford next weekend to be sure of a top half of the table finish.
At the other end, Haxey gave their efforts to stave off relegation a boost by beating Louth by two wickets. Graeme Attenborough made an unbeaten 96 as Haxey chased down their opponents’ total of 219.
Hartsholme were set a bigger target as Market Deeping made 268 for five only to see the bottom side fight their way to 242 for six and a useful 10 points, Henry Rush with 76 and Louis Kimber 65.