SKIPPER Alex Kennedy held his nerve to pilot Bournemouth to a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Division Two rivals Paultons.

Kennedy (29) remained undefeated as Bournemouth chased down Paultons’s modest 117, with Rob Morey (28) also making an important contribution.

Brett Spicer (4-27) and Pete Smith (4-36) both starred with the ball to put Bournemouth on course for a precious victory.

Kennedy said: We bowled and fielded very well but need to apply ourselves more when batting.”

• New Milton were plunged back into the mire after suffering an agonising three-run defeat at the hands of relegation rivals Portsmouth.

A lively spell from Eric Linge (3-31) helped New Milton restrict Portsmouth to 204 for eight, with wily spinner Nick Gargaro conceding just nine runs from his 10 overs.

Milton looked well place at 111 for two before they lost three wickets on Nelson’s. And although Dan Loader (40) gave them hope, they came up just short.

Skipper Lee Beck said: “It was a good performance and we are going in the right direction. We need to finish the season strongly and have more than enough talent to do so.”