Bloemfontein - Exceptional lower-order batting from Werner Coetsee and Shadley van Schalkwyk was not enough as Robert Frylinck claimed the final two wickets to helped the Sunfoil Dolphins claim a dramatic one-run victory over the Chevrolet Knights in their 1-Day Cup match in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The pair shared a determined 58-run partnership in pursuit of 251 to help rescue their side from the dead, but Frylinck claimed the key breakthrough by dismissing Coetsee for 61 with 17 balls remaining and still 20 to get.

However, Van Schalkwyk, who was not out on 29 looked to be taking his side home, only for Malusi Siboto to be run out by the all-rounder with the penultimate delivery handing the visitors a thrilling win.

Earlier, it was Keshav Maharaj (three for 37) and Imran Khan (two for 27) who put the Dolphins on top after they strangled the Knights with five wickets between them.

They were all out for 249 after the Kwa-Zulu Natal franchise were themselves dismissed to 250 in 49.1 overs in an innings that was built mainly around David Miller’s 56.

Van Schalkwyk and Coetsee were also the stars with the ball, claiming three for 43 each, but their efforts were in vain as the Dolphins ran out winners.

The hosts had been heavily reliant on their top order in previous games this season, but were not as fortunate this time around as they lost Reeza Hendricks for a duck with only four on the board - Dane Paterson drawing an edge behind to Daryn Smit.

Morne van Wyk (16) added 36 with Rilee Rossouw for the second wicket but he too succumbed relatively cheaply by edging Friedel de Wet to the keeper.

The wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and Frylinck played a key role in the next one after his excellent one-handed catch low at first slip handed Khan a first wicket and sent Rossouw on his way.

Dean Elgar, one of the form batsmen of South African cricket this season, steadied the ship with Obus Pienaar to help the Knights reach 100 in the 22nd over.

But both players fell within the space of three overs after some exceptionally tight bowling from Khan and Maharaj.

Elgar was trapped leg before wicket by Khan for 27, while Pienaar was stumped off Maharaj.

Aubrey Swanepoel (15) and Johan van der Wath (three) also fell to the left-arm spinner as the home side fell to 143 for seven, before the drama at the end.

Earlier, the Dolphins lost the toss and were asked to take first strike with Khayelihle Zondo (44) and Khan (41) putting on 80 for the first wicket.

They both fell in quick succession, though, before the in-form Smit, who made 95 and 109 in his last two games, put on 38 for the third wicket with Devon Conway.

But the wicketkeeper was next to go for 18, with Conway and Miller promising plenty during the next partnership as they raised a 50 partnership in 49 deliveries.

However, Conway then threw it away when he held out to deep extra cover, caught by Elgar off Coetsee, as hopes of reaching 280 quickly began to fade.

Matthew Hulett (12) and Cameron Delport (nought) followed suit with 189 for three then becoming 212 for six – Coetsee claiming his 100th wicket in one-day cricket in the process and Swanepoel grabbing the other two wickets.

Miller went passed 50 from 53 balls, but when he fell, the Dolphins disappeared to be bowled out with five balls to spare.