Brian Lara's dismissal for one left West Indies fearing the worst

Zimbabwe went agonisingly close to their first Test win for two years as West Indies hung on for a draw on a thrilling final day in Harare.

Ridley Jacobs and Fidel Edwards survived the last 11.5 overs with Zimbabwe unable to use their seamers because of fading light.

Left-arm spinner Ray Price returned match figures of 10-161.

But he could not separate the last wicket pair as the tourists ended on 207-9, with Jacobs 60 not out.

Zimbabwe had the consolation of halting a run of 11 successive defeats, but it was of little significance for a side which had won only seven out of their previous 69 games overall.

Price took 4-88 in the West Indies second innings, but it fell to occasional off-spinner Trevor Gripper to bowl the final over and last man Edwards succeeded in blocking it out.

All credit to Zimbabwe - they played much better than us Brian Lara West Indies captain

The home side began the final day 94-4 and looking for quick runs prior to the declaration.

They soon lost Craig Wishart for 34 when he offered no stroke to an inswinging delivery by seam bowler Vasbert Drakes and was bowled.

Tatenda Taibu helped Stuart Matsikenyeri add 45 before he became Drakes' second victim of the morning for 21, and Andy Blignaut followed when he was caught behind off Corey Collymore for 13.

Matsikenyeri hit two sixes in his 46 not out before captain Streak decided the lead was big enough.

A victory target of 373 looked an unlikely one for West Indies and their decline began when Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle and Lara fell in successive overs.

Hinds (24) was caught by Stuart Carlisle off Streak and Gayle (13) edged a ball from Price to wicket-keeper Taibu.

Home supporters began to scent a famous triumph when Brian Lara was adjudged lbw to Streak after facing only seven deliveries, although TV replays suggested umpire Billy Bowden may have been in error.

I would have given all 10 of those wickets to get that last one Ray Price Zimbabwe spinner

Daren Ganga was next to go, bowled by Price for 16, and Ramnaresh Sarwan surrendered his wicket when he tried to hit off-spinner Trevor Gripper over the leg-side field and was stumped for 39.

It left West Indies relying on Shiv Chanderpaul and Jacobs to try and save the day and they occupied the crease for 21 overs in adding 68 for the sixth wicket.

But another poor stroke saw Chanderpaul (39) chip a ball from Price to Vusimuzi Sibanda at mid-wicket and Andy Blignaut weighed in with the wickets of Drakes and Jerome Taylor - the latter batting despite a sore back.

Jacobs, who relishes a scrap, reached his half century off 84 balls by square cutting for four, but saw another partner depart when Collymore was caught at silly point by Mark Vermeulen for one.

Edwards found himself surrounded by close fielders as he took guard, but proved equal to the task as he kept out 33 balls to the relief of his watching tea-mates in the pavilion.

Zimbabwe: Mark Vermeulen, Trevor Gripper, Stuart Carlisle, Craig Wishart, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu (wkt), Andy Blignaut, Heath Streak (capt), Ray Price, Blessing Mahwire.