SOMERSET remain in title contention after shading a thrilling finish when Mushtaq Ahmed struck the winning runs with two balls to spare.

Having lost four early wickets to the pairing of Nixon McLean and Cardigan Connor, they were revived by a splendid partnership of 95 between the captain, Peter Bowler, who made 50 with the late assistance of a runner, and Keith Parsons (55).

Hampshire's total never seemed enough after winning the toss on an easy-paced pitch used in the previous three-day game against the Sri Lankans.

John Stephenson is sporting a Technicolor shiner after miscuing a hook off Ed Giddins at Edgbaston last week but it evidently had no effect on his sight during an opening stand of 90 with Lee Savident, Hampshire's best in all one-dayers this season.

Stephenson was bowled middle stump off an Andy Caddick no-ball but rode his luck to carry his bat for an undefeated 77 off 102 balls, the cornerstone of the innings, while Savident, the 6ft 5in Channel Islander, made 39 before he misjudged a sweep from Mushtaq.

The Pakistan leg-spinner later accounted for Giles White, stumped for a duck, and Will Kendall, misjudging a googly, to finish with enviable figures of three for 18.