Strabane kept their title hopes alive at the top of the Billy Henderson Properties senior table when toughing it out in a dour contest at home to Bonds Glen on Wednesday evening.

The hosts took first use of a slow, low track and found runs hard come by early on. Skipper Jonathan Beukes made a patient 34 but only Mark Roulston with 18 not out and Peter Gillespie (18) could add much as the hosts closed on 122 for 7.

Colin Hall with 2 for 10 was the pick of the Bee Gees attack, although all the bowlers used- David Robinson, Kyle Moore, Leslie Curry, Richard Hepburn and Gihan Dilruk picked up a wicket each.

The Bee Gees reply started fairly well, Roy Robinson and professional Dilruk putting on an opening stand of 34 but progress was slow.

Wickets tumbled far too regularly as the visitors joined the chase after those two parted however and in the end the Red Caps had a comfortable 25 runs to spare.

Robinson top scored with 25 while Strabane's cause was aided by Ciaran Patton's 3 for 14 and Mark Roulston's 3 for 16.

A win against Brigade at Beechgrove on Saturday would now blow the title race wide open for the defending champions.