The local team was expected to dominate the affair but a lacklustre batting total coupled with bad luck may have spelt the end to the sides title hopes.

With one more match remaining before the finals, Highlands now have to rely on other results going its way to earn an unlikely finals berth.

While clearly disappointed, Highlands coach Brian Martin was positive about his teams performance in Sunday’s match.

“I certainly wasn’t disappointed with the effort the boys gave and as always they put in 110 percent,” he said.

“Luck just didn’t go our way and we really only put one chance down all day.

“Shep and Stuart Clarke batted very well and there’s no doubt that Tom Hordern has been the find of the year in the bowling ranks.

“We’re now just relying on other matches to go our way and if we make the finals we’re still a real chance.”

Sunday’ s match went right down to the wire with Goulburn eventually lasting to win by just one wicket.

Batting first on the synthetic pitch the Highlands were soon in trouble with classy youngster Evan McCarthy making an uncharacteristic third ball duck.

Robertson’s Aaron De Jager was next to go falling to a sharp caught and bowled for nine and the locals were sinking at 2/19.

This brought Robbie Malcolm to the crease and he and opener Clarke put on a strong and well constructed partnership before Clarke fell for 35 to make the score 3/88.

But when Mick Rivers fell for 5 and Robbie Malcolm was caught and bowled for 41, Highlands were again in strife.

The normally solid Jimmy Thompson was sent back to the pavillion for a duck and his team were found wanting at 6/111.

But with fearless captain Scott Shepherd at the crease and the in-form Aaron Fox, the Highlands made a strong revival before Fox was unluckily run out for 20 and the score was 7/148.