Hereford City climb-ed to fourth spot in the Crusader Worc-estershire County League Division 2 with a nail-biting two-wicket home win over Oldswinford in a rain-affected match at the Racecourse.

The home side's first outright win of the campaign appeared doubtful when, chasing Oldswin-ford's modest 119, they slumped to 70-8 in a match reduced to 38 overs a side after a rain-enforced delay.

All-rounder Ben Mason and Robin Smith combined amid growing tension to put together an unbroken 50-run stand for Hereford's ninth-wicket - the highest partnership of the match - and take the home side to their target in the 36th over.

Mason batted very sensibly for his crucial unbeaten 27 and Smith contributed an undefeated 15 after Hereford's opener Ashley Brown made a gritty 23 and David Price weighed in with 11 on an unpredictable batting pitch.

Seamer Guy Pentreath was the visitors' most successful bowler, snapping up 5-46 on a helpful pitch, and he appeared to be guiding his team to victory until Mason and Smith's combined to turn the game in Hereford's favour.

Previously, Oldswinford struggled after being inserted on a damp pitch and they were pegged back by the impressive off-spin of former Bulmers all-rounder Leroy James, who bagged 4-30 from 12 overs, and seamer Phil Knight, who claimed 3-23 from 11.

Only Robinson (25) and Turner (21 not out) reached double figures for the visitors who were bundled out for 119 in the final over of the innings.

The match was the only league game to be played involving county-based clubs as the weather wiped out fixtures.