MONTGOMERY tasted defeat by the slenderest of margins with a one wicket loss at home to Forton in Henshalls Shropshire League Two.

Despite the cheap loss of opener Tom Corfield (2) to Chris Hughes a superb second wicket stand between Tim Davies and Charlie Clinton worked the scoreboard for Montgomery.

The swashbuckling duo combined with Davies posting 70 before falling to Hughes (2-38) while Clinton was caught by Jonathan Sisson off Matthew Sayers (2-20) for a top scoring 74.

Sam Williams (13no) helped Montgomery to 205-4 to defend.

Tom Hughes (2-24) led the Monty attack in reply and celebrated two early wickets before Ian Roberts and Ross Barton offered defiance.

Barton was caught by Williams off Aaron Ruff-Cock (1-43) for 22 with Alex Bromley dislodging Roberts, caught by Davies for 26.

Charlie Kinsey (1-29) maintained pressure on the middle order with Sayers caught by Rob Bennett for 18 before running out Chris Hicks (14) with Sissons also run out by Davies for two.

However Monty could not dislodge Ed Dutton who continued to work the scoreboard toward Forton’s target.

Bromley (3-37) celebrated the removal of Hughes, caught by Keelan Serjeant for 13, but Dutton (88no) was not to be denied and guided Forton to 206-9 and glory with three balls remaining.