OLD Elizabethans registered a dramatic and much-needed three-run win at Fordhouses to move away from the Division Two drop zone.

Having been invited to bat first, OEs got off to a steady start before Jamie Boyle was bowled by Armstrong.

Only two runs later, Allan Brudar (11) was caught off Jamshed and, although 21 was added for the third wicket, the fourth fell at 45 and the exit of James Brinkley (27 left the visitors struggling at 68-5.

Skipper Sean Cairney (8) joined top-scoring Richard Silk (75) and the pair compiled 37 before Cairney fell lbw.

David Phillips was bowled four runs later before Matt Sprague (22) and Silk struck 61 in 41 minutes. The innings ended on 184 all out.

In reply, Brinkley (6-24) struck early when he bowled both Cheema brothers with only eight runs on the board.

Brudar (2-37) broke a 43-run partnership when he bowled Jarvis.

Thompson (55) reached his 50 in as many balls and, along with Imam (43), added 85.

At 139-5, the Fordhouses looked set for victory, but the visitors' persistence suddenly paid off, Brinkley claiming three more wickets as OEs edged home.

OEs 184 (Silk 75, Brinkley 27); Fordhouses 181 (Brinkley 6-24, Brudar 2-37).

The Seconds produced a superb batting display in an entertaining winning draw against Beacon.

OEs lost an early wicket when Newell was bowled in the third over.

Steve Burgoyne (61) and skipper Chris Dale (50) added 108 for the second wicket.

Pete Boyle hit a quick-fire 28, while James Bull (34no) and Tim Ohlson (27) put on a run-a-ball 56 partnership as OEs posted 247-5.

Beacon replied emphatically, with openers Nick Pes-tridge (43) and Craig Jones scoring freely from the off.

The hosts employed three spinners in their efforts to stem the run flow, Stephens taking 3-75. Dale chipped in with two wickets as Beacon were reduced to 139-5.

The Wolverhapmpton side's attempts were thwarted when Jones fell for 85.

OEs took further wickets but Beacon finished on 196-8.

The Fourths scored a five- wicket win at home to Avoncroft.

Avoncroft lost wickets at regular intervals, only Saitch (34) and Andy Pittam (22) making any headway as they posted 156.

Veteran spinners Martyn Emson (2-31) and A Neel (3-21) were the pick of the OEs bowlers.

Luke Butler scored 31 in reply before a mini-collapse followed with Truby and Pullan departing cheaply.

Teenagers Paul Biggerstaff (82) and Gregor Macleod (27) saw OEs to win with 11 overs to spare.