ED JOYCE hit a top quality 78 not out to set up a 17-run victory over Scotland in Dubai yesterday  that keeps Ireland firmly on course for the play-offs of the World Twenty20 qualifiers.

The 33-year-old left- hander cleared the boundary with the last two balls of his innings to lift Ireland to 159-5 and beyond the reach of a determined Scotland reply that ended on 142-7.

Joyce, one of the best tacticians in T20 cricket, played second fiddle to cameos from Alex Cusack and Kevin O'Brien before sharing in a fifth-wicket stand of 55 with in- form Gary Wilson.

When Wilson holed out for another fine contribution of 26 from as many balls, Joyce upped the tempo, finishing with three sixes and six fours in his unbeaten 58- ball effort.

Trent Johnston built on Ireland's advantage with two early wickets and Scotland were in deep trouble when Boyd Rankin had their best batsman Calum MacLeod lbw for 6.

Captain Kyle Coetzer, who survived a soft chance to long off on 29, gave his side hope by adding 79 for the fourth wicket with Fraser Watts before both were removed by O'Brien.

With John Mooney and Cusack forced off injured, O'Brien was called into bowling action for the first time in the tournament and responded by returning figures of 3-35.

A fourth victory in five games in Group B means Ireland have only to beat Uganda today or minnows Oman tomorrow to reach the play-offs but Namibia are still in the important top spot after a fifth successive win, over Kenya.