SLOUGH'S hopes of Division One survival took a major hit as they lost a last-ball thriller by one wicket at home to fellow strugglers Tring Park, writes Richard Ashton.

Girinath Poreddy top scored with 40 as the hosts posted a competitive 228-9 from their 50 overs, but fine knocks from Michael Payne (70) and David Burnell (64) helped Tring edge to 229-9 from the final ball.

Saif Zaib (3-38) was the pick of the Slough attack.

Second-bottom Slough – who are now 29 points adrift of safety with three games remaining – travel to Banbury tomorrow (Saturday).

Datchet's poor run continued as they dropped to third and saw their feint title hopes ended following a 32-run home loss to Banbury.

Bobby Sher took 3-49 as the Oxfordshire side were restricted to 180-7 in 39 overs of a rain-affected contest, but Zimbabwean David Brent (64) was the only Datchet batsman to really get going in reply and they eventually fell to 148 all out.

Datchet travel to basement side Horspath tomorrow.

In Division Two, relegation-threatened Cookham Dean fell to a 95-run reverse at promotion-chasing Harefield.

Dan Ogden (62) and Michael Barry (54) set the innings up nicely for the hosts, but it was skipper Doug King (71 from just 41 balls) who really took the game away from Cookham, leading his side to an imposing 273-7.

Patrick Castleden (42) and Yash Rastogi (82) batted well at the top of the order, but the middle and lower order were blown away as the Dean crashed from 147-3 to 178 all out.

Cookham Dean sit second-bottom of the table ahead of a vital home game against Amerham – one place and 11 points above them – tomorrow.

Inconsistent Burnham suffered one of their off days as they were crushed by seven wickets at Amersham.

Raza Ali Dar (12) and Adnan Malik (11) were the only visiting batsmen to reach double figures as they were skittled for just 78, Maduka Liyanapathiranage (5-14) and Alex Lines (3-6) wreaking havoc for Amersham.

Burnham battled with the ball, but Teddy Bowcock's unbeaten 34 ensured the home side cruised to 80-3 in 22.4 overs.

Sixth-placed Burnham host Oxford Downs – who sit one place lower in the standings – tomorrow.