Shrewsbury's Ryan Bishop hits a six against Chester le Street

So there will be no repeat of their famous success in 1983.

But 26 years on from the most notable day in their history, Shrewsbury served up another memorable National Knockout occasion.

Beaten they may have been but the Shropshire club emerged from yesterday’s thrilling semi-final encounter with Chester-Le-Street with their heads held high.

Just three runs shy of 600 were scored in 90 pulsating overs on a belting pitch as an estimated crowd of 650 were treated to an action-packed afternoon at London Road.

But it was the north-east visitors, roared on by a hardy bunch of around 100 supporters, who now have a prestigious final in the not-so-glamourous surroundings of Derby to look forward to next month.

In truth, the game was decided in the final 10 overs of the visitors’ innings as they added an astonishing 118 runs to take the tie away from Shrewsbury.

That left the hosts chasing a mammoth 319 off 45 overs, a target made all the more daunting when captain Ed Foster edged seamer Andrew Tye into the gloves of wicket-keeper David Wilson in only the third over.

Ryan Bishop and Tony Parton then launched a thrilling counter-attack as Shrewsbury reached 73-1 inside 10 overs to maintain the required rate.

But the dismissal of Bishop to spinner Richard Waite – he played on after hitting 45 off 34 balls – halted the momentum.

Parton, Rob Foster and Dan Manders followed in relatively quick succession but still Shrewsbury refused to throw in the towel.

Joe Leach led the counter attack with 41 as Shrewsbury found themselves level with Chester-Le-Street’s comparative score after 32 overs.

But with wickets falling at regular intervals and no big hitter in their lower order, the huge total had drifted beyond the hosts – despite a gritty unbeaten 62 from Matt McKeever and 26 from Alex Blofield.

Shrewsbury’s final total of 279-9 represented a fine effort, but they had struggled to contain a powerful Chester-Le-Street batting line-up earlier in the day.

Mike Barnard brought early glory when he dismissed Alan Mustard – brother of England one-day star Phil – for just seven.

But fellow opener Simon Birtwistle and former England under-19 captain Andrew Smith accelerated the scoring with a brisk second wicket partnership.

Birtwistle made 57 and Smith 41 before both falling to Elliot Green.

But that brought Waite to the crease and, supported by the middle order, he made a sparkling 73-ball century which including nine fours and six sixes before being dismissed for 110 off the final ball of the innings.

There will no doubt be disappointment amongst the London Road squad today after coming within a whisker of reaching a showpiece final.

But there should also be pride at being amongst the last four in a competition which began with more than 500 teams bidding for glory and belief that, with captain Foster the oldest player in yesterday’s team at 24, their best days lie ahead.

By JAMES GARRISON