Ervine came to the crease with Hampshire in trouble at 34-3

Sean Ervine made a determined unbeaten 94 as Hampshire dented Durham's title hopes with a surprise two-wicket win at the May's Bounty ground in Basingstoke.

Durham were set to go top of Division One, needing only five wickets and Hampshire still 132 short of victory.

Ervine extended his stand with England Under-19 all-rounder Liam Dawson to 94 before Dawson was caught at leg slip.

Dimitri Mascarenhas (26) was dropped on 11, while Ervine hit 14 fours in 169 balls as the 240 target was achieved.

After 35 wickets fell on the opening two days at the compact ground, Durham were hot favourites to wrap up victory on the penultimate day.

The wicket appeared surprisingly docile, but the pressure of the situation made for a tense finale.

Dawson was dropped at slip on 19 by Shivnarine Chanderpaul off Graham Onions, but when he was out 69 were still needed.

Mascarenhas survived a difficult chance to Callum Thorp at mid-on and at lunch his team were 37 short of the finishing line with four wickets still intact.

First-innings hero Mark Davies gave Durham renewed hope when he bowled Mascarenhas off his pads with 31 still needed.

Ten more runs were ticked off before Michael Di Venuto took a smart catch to dismiss David Balcombe off Davies, but Imran Tahir joined Ervine to add the 21 runs required and ease Hampshire's relegation worries.

Hampshire skipper Mascarenhas told BBC Radio Solent:

"It was an unbelievable performance, definitely the best I've ever been involved in.

"To be bowled out for 96 in the first innings, and then to come back and win, it's fantastic.

"The players worked really hard, and we were desperate for the win to take us out of the relegation zone."