Ayr's performance was the more remarkable as, for once, professional Kevin Roberts failed to make an impact, being runless and wicketless. Alan Simpson, however, was in prime form, stroking 90 and, with Neil McCrossan, putting on a three-figure opening stand. Accies crawled to a draw.

Aberdeenshire also had an opener, Garth Nottle, who hit 90, to thank for their seven-wicket victory over Arbroath. Freuchie advanced their First Division cause too, climbing into fourth place after their two-wicket win over Uddingston.

In Conference A, Heriot's and West Lothian further confirmed their First Division destination with victories over GHK and Kelburne although the Edinburgh side were made to sweat after being bowled out for 106. Happily for them, Shahid Aslam took four for 14 in a 33-run win. The feature of West Lothian's win over Kelburne was a century from Howard Sydney-Wilmot.