ARBROATH last night moved to within touching distance of the title after holding their nerve to complete a thrilling two-wicket win over Glenrothes at Lochlands while closest challengers Grange fell out of the reckoning to be replaced by Heriot’s who could yet come from behind to take the glory.

Chasing a modest 133, Arbroath looked to be cruising when they reached 50-1 but a flurry of wickets sparked a dose of the jitters as Glens sensed their chance to consolidate a place in the top four. Hayden Laing top-scored for Arbroath with a crucial 32 but Yasser Arafat’s four wickets pushed the home side all the way.

In the end, the Lochlands men scraped over the line to clinch a tense two-wicket win.

On a bowlers’ day, a fine unbeaten 32 from South African Aidan Justus was the standout performance in the Fifers’ total of 132 while Elton Willemse and Craig Ramsay had three wickets each.

Grange’s title bid is over after they slumped to a shock defeat against Aberdeenshire at Portgower Place.

The capital troops put themselves in a strong position after Ryan Flannigan’s 82 helped them post 223-9, though three wickets each for Lesiba Ngoepe and Conor Shorten kept the visitors in contention.

A century opening stand between Ian Kirk, who made 89, and Kenny Reid, who also posted a half-century, then put ‘Shire on course for what was ultimately a four-wicket win.

Heriot’s, though, remain in contention thanks to a convincing seven-wicket win over SMRH at Inverleith where Scotland star Mark Watt was the man-of-the-match with four wickets and 38no.

Meanwhile the dress rehearsal for today’s Scottish Cup final proved a one-sided affair as Watsonians swept aside a youthful Carlton at Myreside.

Having elected to bat, Carlton could muster only 84 runs, Aman Bailwal doing the bulk of the damage with four top order wickets for just 14 including top scorer Rory McCann for 17.

Brendan O’Connell top-scored with 31 as ‘Sonians claimed the psychological edge ahead of today’s showdown at Forthill with a seven-wicket success.

Forfarshire cruised to a nine-wicket win at relegated Falkland, Christian Robertson claiming 4-16 as the hosts were dismissed for 85 before Matty Parker raced to 56no.