But the misery at missing out on a heaven sent opportunity to put one over their high riding opponents was lifted two hours later when news started filtering through that bottom club Neston had beaten relegation haunted Widnes.

That meant the drop for those two - leaving defeated Timperley to escape by the skin of their teeth.

Shahnawaz, known at the club and beyond as the Doc as he works as a local GP, was calm in his assessment calling the batting collapse "frustrating" after such a strong bowling performance.

The Doc maintains his position in club folklore for achieving the second fastest century from 47 balls behind former South African pro Ru Brenner who got his ton in 43 balls - despite a valiant effort from Jordan Ruff for the Timperley thirds on Saturday.

The teacher and one time Chelsea FC starlet put the intensity of his return to class after the summer holidays to the back of his mind to reach the milestone in 48 balls as Timperley racked up an impressive 340 which Runcorn could get nowhere near.

Meanwhile there were runs galore for courageous Zach Thompson with 99 not out in a nail-biting winning chase as the first team won at Neston.

Neston scored 252 which according to skipper Ed Galley was a slightly above par score.

Galley said: "We then got off to a slow start after losing some early wickets.However, we re built nicely, with Thompson the man of the match despite suffering from cramp."

"He started to strike the ball with fluency, in tandem with Felix Birtles who came up from the 2s and played a vital role in a run a ball 36."

"There was another dramatic twist as cramping Thompson required a runner to further complicate the chase. If anything this simplified matters for Zach who meticulously picked off the Neston bowlers piercing gaps in the field to take Timperley ever closer to their target."

"With wickets falling around him and still needing 21 with a single wicket remaining Thompson played with great maturity punishing any bad balls to put us within one strike of victory."

"On 93 and needing six to win, Thompson fell agonisingly one short of his second century of the season after hitting a beautiful shot over square leg and the boundary rope to take us to victory."

Galley added: "I’m so pleased for Zach who is truly showing what an important player he can be for us, he’s batted with such intensity and skill over the past couple of months - and his bowling is also showing good signs of improvement."