Lancashire Lightning did the Hampshire Hawks a big favour by beating the Nottinghamshire Outlaws in a Natwest Pro40 thriller under the Trent Bridge floodlights.
Needing three off the last ball to tie the match, Darren Pattinson only managed two as the Outlaws suffered defeat by just one run.
Hampshire now need the Sussex Sharks to lose at home to Middlesex on Thursday night and then bounce back by winning at Notts on Sunday.
To win the title, Hampshire also need Gloucestershire to lose at Durham this weekend.
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