CRANBORNE'S hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon in Dorset Sunday League Division One were dealt a blow as they fell 47 runs short in their chase of Corfe Mullen.

Dave Coy's side, who sit bottom of the pile following their 20-point deduction for a scratched fixture earlier in the season, slipped to the defeat despite a strong showing in the field.

However, Sam Mills's unbeaten 93 proved pivotal for Corfe on an afternoon where most of his team-mates quickly fell by the wayside.

After the visitors had laboured to 41 for two, Michael Jordan (22) and Sam Stroud (26) dug deep to aid Mullen's main man as Corfe captured a total of 194 for seven.

In response, Cranborne could not muster any kind of fruitful partnership as they found James Shilton (5-41), Zeeshan Haider (2-38) and Stroud (2-14) in imperious form with the ball. Captain Coy plundered 49 but the hosts were comfortably dismissed for 147 from just 22.2 overs.

The result left Cranborne trailing nearest rivals Ferndown Wayfarers by six points ahead of Sunday's final fixture at champions Fovant.

Meanwhile, second spot is still up for grabs for three teams despite Winton's 54-run loss to Dewlish.

Lewis Chutter (61) and Tom Hewish (83) gave Sam Wynn's side plenty to think about as the visitors set a target of 201 for five before Alex Chutter (3-28) took the wickets of Winton openers Badral Alam and Alex Proline without score.

Sunny Daini (22) and Ally Williams (43) did their best to battle back, but Rodger Edmonds (5-59) was in fearsome form and Winton were dismissed for 147.

The winners of Winton's home match with St Georges could finish runners-up if Dewlish slip up at home to Ferndown Wayfarers on the final day.

Elsewhere, fifth-placed Swanage registered 242 for three against Shillingstone who could only manage 187 in response.