SCOTLAND last night continued their remarkable love affair with Old Trafford when they carved out a thrilling last-ball win by just two runs – their third straight success at the historic Manchester venue.

The Saltires went into this FP Trophy clash on the back of heavy defeats to Lancashire and Derbyshire.

But revenge was sweet against the Red Rose county in what was arguably the most satisfying win they have ever achieved against an English professional outfit.

Certainly this exceeded last season's ten-run triumph in a what was essentially a 23-overs a side thrash.

Given the strength of a Lancashire line-up, which included both Andrew Flintoff and Mohammad Yousuf, yesterday's victory was possibly even more impressive than the one during their debut season in the Tote-sport League.

Defending what looked like a meagre total of 155, John Blain and Dewald Nel soon had the sizeable Bank Holiday crowd fretting. Nel struck in his first over when Gareth Cross' loose shot was taken by Neil McCallum at mid-wicket.

Blain followed up by inducing an edge from his old Northants colleague Mal Loye for Colin Smith to take the catch. There was still little cause for panic in the home ranks but when Nel produced a magnificent delivery to bowl Yousuf for a duck Scottish tails were up.

Blain struck again to remove dangerous Aussie Stuart Law, courtesy of another sharp catch by Smith, before Nel claimed the biggest scalp of the lot.

At 32 for four Lancashire fans were relying on local hero Flintoff to dig them out of trouble but the England all-rounder had managed only one nonchalant six into the pavilion before Nel trapped him lbw for eight.

Nel finished with three for 26 while Craig Wright joined the attack and quickly reduced the Lancashire innings to apparent ruins on 47 for seven with two quick wickets.

However, Scottish supporters were made to sweat as Lancashire produced a fine fightback during which Luke Sutton and Kyle Hogg put on 71 to put their side back in contention.

However, with tension rising, Fraser Watts produced a spectacular one-handed catch to remove Sutton while Simon Marshall ran himself out, leaving the Scots needing one wicket and Lancashire 20 runs from the final 19 deliveries.

The equation became eight from the final over and four from the final delivery. However, while Lancashire had won with a six off the previous ball the previous day, Gordon Drummond held his nerve to restrict James Anderson to a single as the Saltires pulled off a famous win.

Such drama had appeared unlikely as Scotland again struggled to post a substantial total, only Ed Cowan, Colin Smith and Craig Wright looking comfortable against the home attack.