Bowls: Foster and Marshall leave it late

Best friends Alex Marshall and Paul Foster booked berths in today's semi-finals of the Potters World Singles Championship in similar circumstances to stay on course for an all-East Lothian title decider tomorrow.

Marshall, ranked No 4, who holds five world singles titles, was the first in action and he played an inch-perfect delivery with his last bowl in the tie- break to deny 2000 champion Rob Weale 7-8, 9-1, 2-0.

World No 1 Foster, who has three world singles titles to his name, played exactly the same shot to pip St Andrews-born Andy Thomson 7-6, 2-11, 2-1.

"I let my lead slip in the first set, and didn't put Rob under any pressure, but I came back strong in the second. I know I'll need to improve, though, if I'm to get to the final," said Marshall.

Foster admitted "Andy was brilliant and it was just a case of hanging in taking my chance in the tie-break.

"Considering the pressure I was under, that last bowl I played was probably the biggest bowl of my career."

Marshall faces defending champion Greg Harlow, with Foster up against Mark Royal, who beat Darren Burnett.