WILTSHIRE'S hopes of lifting the Minor Counties Championship for the first time in 105 years were dashed on a dramatic third day against Staffordshire at South Wilts CC today.

The hosts looked to have given themselves a real chance of lifting the crown for the first time since 1909 after bowling out the Eastern Division champions for 254 in their second innings.

Needing 252 to win, Wiltshire instead found themselves pegged back by the bowling of Greg Willott, who swept through the top order and ended with 4-28.

At 57-5, the home side were in trouble but partnerships of 48 between Uzi Qureshi (30) and Ashur Morrison (38) and 57 between skipper Michael Coles and Tahir Afridi gave them fresh hope.

Coles' patient knock kept his side in it as wickets fell around him but despite making a 87, he eventually became the fourth victim of Paul Byrne (4-44) and Wiltshire finished on 222, handing Staffordshire the title by just 28 runs.

MORE ON THIS STORY FOLLOWS AT GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK/SPORT,  WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK/SPORT AND SWINDONADVERISER.CO.UK/SPORT AND IN THIS WEEK'S PAPERS