PLYMOUTH are still teetering over the relegation precipice after slipping to a four-wicket defeat at home to Heathcoat.

No one made more than Hal Kerton (25) in Plymouth’s total of 134 all out – James Onley-Gregson collecting five of their wickets for 32 runs.

Heathcoat found runs hard to come by as well and at 82 for four in reply at half way go had plenty to do.

Jack Dart and Dinesh Raheja sorted things out with a patient stand of 40 that took Heathcoat most of the way there.

The challenge for Plymouth after this defeat is maintaining their Premier status for another season.

Only five points separate Plymouth from the second relegation slot, currently filled by Cornwood.

As long as Plymouth win at Brixham they will be safe, If they lose – and Brixham’s only win this season was over Plymouth – and Cornwood triumph against Torquay it could get hairy for the city side.

“We just want to get the job done and confirm our place again in the Premier next year,” said skipper Sam Stein. “Then we can start preparing for that.”

Plymouth never really got going against the Heathcoat attack, which limited them to 81 for four at halfway.

Jamie Drew (1-25) and Matt Rudston (1-31) were hard to get a away – and switch to spin slowed things again.

Brad Barnes bowled nine over for 14 runs, Jack Menheneott had two for 19 from eight and Dinesh Raheja took one for 11 from six.

Scotland World Cup batter Hamish Gardiner made 21, which was the best of several bits-and-pieces scores.

With Plymouth going nowhere in no particular hurry, Heathcoat captain Barnes brought 14-year-old seamer Onley-Gregson back for a second bowl and he took out Kerton  and Sam Stein in three balls.

That just left the tail-enders to dispose of and Onley-Gregson duly obliged with Dan Goodey and Dave Burke eight balls apart.

Goodey quickly made s mark when Plymouth bowled with two wickets in a running total of 22 for three – dangerman Barnes and Dylan Penberthy.

With Pete Randerson out to Dave Burke too the game was in the balance.

Dart did for Heathcoat what he has done for Devon  this season, which is bat time under pressure to see his side over the hump.

Stands of 32 with Sam Smith, (11), 28 with Will Thompson (12) and 40 in cahoots with Raheja (34no) were crucial in a low-scoring game.

Kerton trapped Dart lbw for 37 with 13 needed, which Raheja and Drew polished off.

Summing up the performance, Stein said: “We bowled and fielded brilliantly but didn't bat well enough.

“We should a lot of fight in the second innings, which I was proud of.”

Winning captain Barnes said: “I think we bowled very well to restrict Plymouth to 134.

“James Onley-Gregson bowled excellently for his five wickets.

“I was really impressed by him and I'm sure he'll be one to watch for the future.

“A lot of credit my go to Plymouth, who made it tough for us.

“Our middle order kept calm and got us over the line.”