Oxford's Division 1 title hopes suffered a perhaps mortal blow when they lost by six wickets at home to lowly Potters Bar on Saturday in the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League.

Jason Harrison’s men now trail 40 points behind leaders Welwyn Garden City, with just four games to go.

For the second week running, Harrison lost an important toss, and following a delayed start because of rain, Oxford were put in to bat.

The match was reduced to a 112-over affair with a 61-51 split.

Harrison and Chris Sandbach put on 35 for the first wicket before the latter was trapped leg before.

Stewart Laudat and Harrison added 38 before the skipper departed caught behind.

Laudat made his second successive half-century – his 56 came off 86 balls – but the middle order was swept aside by Tanweer Sikandar.

Oxford were bowled out for 165 in the 60th over.

Sikandar bowling unchan-ged from one end, finishedwith 5-65 from 29.5 overs.

A lively burst by Stuart Hole gave Oxford hope. He took the first three wickets as the visitors slipped to 30-3.

But opener Chris Swainland was joined by Sikandar (89) in a match-winning stand of 132.

Swainland was still there on 52 not out as Potters Bar passed the target in the 44th over.