Jack Atchinson admitted his North London side came through Sir Alex Ferguson’s equivalent of ‘squeaky bum time’ in their crucial victory over Bessborough in Division Three of the Middlesex County Cricket League.

Atchinson’s basement boys followed up last week’s first win of the season with success against their fellow strugglers, and the 10 points gained lifted them to within three points of Bessborough in the battle for survival in the Middlesex County League.

Yet this was one which nearly got away. Defending a small total of 138, North London were almost home with Bessborough 80-8 in reply, before a ninth-wicket stand got the visitors within two big blows of a tie.

Tailender Jay Chavda (26) launched one shot over long-off for four but, attempting to repeat the shot against the spin of Ted Greally, he holed out to Sam Bardon at mid-off and a few balls later Rosh Tennakoon bowled last man Sharuban Kanthasamy to clinch a nerve-shredding win.

“Squeaky is a good way to descibe that win,” said the NL captain. “When they hit the four I thought for the first time we were going to lose, so it was the depths of despair to elation in a couple of balls really.”

The hosts collapsed to the wizardry of captain Rohan Karkhanis (7-43) after solid efforts from James Battcock (26) and Bardon (29) had carried them securely enough to 80-2.

Rich Hall’s 22 gave them some sort of target to defend and, taking the old ball from the start, spinners Greally (3-44), Yasir Hashmi (3-51) and Tennakoon (3-17) wrought havoc before the dramatic finish.

Atchinson added: “We are still underdogs – I’d rather have the points others have got. But we have some form and confidence now.”