Zander de Bruyn hit a splendid unbeaten century as Somerset kept their NatWest Pro40 Division One title hopes alive with a crucial 84-run floodlit victory over Worcestershire at New Road.

The former Royals all-rounder scored a run-a-ball 109 not out, including 14 fours, in the Sabres' total of 236 for five.

It proved far too tough a target for grim Worcestershire whose bid to win the league were dashed when they were dismissed for 152 in 36.2 overs.

Somerset's second win in successive days lifted them to within a point of leaders Sussex who wrap up their campaign with a visit to New Road on Sunday, September 27 - the same day as the Sabres entertain Durham.

Thirty-four-year-old De Bruyn set up the last-day showdown with his first one-day century in county cricket.

Along the way he put on 128 in 24 overs for the fourth wicket with Justin Langer who made 45.

The visitors, after winning the toss, made an uncertain start with ex-Sabres paceman Gareth Andrew, who took three for 49, rapidly ripping out Craig Kieswetter and James Hildreth.

The last delivery of his second over accounted for Kieswetter - well caught to his right by wicketkeeper Steve Davies - with the first ball of his next over forcing Hildreth to play on.

It was an impressive burst by Yeovil-born Andrew who soon followed up by having Marcus Trescothick caught at deep square leg by Stephen Moore after hitting 30 off 31 balls with one six and four fours.

Andrew's initial spell produced figures of 5-0-23-3 and helped reduce Somerset to 52 for three off 10 overs

Their fortunes, however, were lifted by De Bruyn and Langer who took Somerset into three figures in the 21st over.

De Bruyn reached his 50 off 55 balls with eight fours before needing Kieswetter as a runner after being hampered by a groin strain.

The problem, however, did not prevent him from completing his excellent century stand with Langer who finally fell when he was caught at deep mid wicket by Ian Fisher off a Daryl Mitchell full toss.

Fisher followed up shortly afterwards by catching Peter Trego at long-on off Chris Whelan. Arul Suppiah topped up Somerset's tally with 28 off 20 balls.

The Royals' hopes of a solid start to their run chase evaporated when paceman Alfonso Thomas bowled Davies, a century-maker in his previous two Division One innings, and Vikram Solanki inside the first eight overs

It was a sign of things to come with Ben Phillips adding to Worcestershire's discomfort with the cheap dismissals of Moeen Ali and Ben Smith.

Trego then stepped in to oust Mitchell and Moore whose top score of 40 came off 49 balls with five fours.

It left the Royals reeling on 88 for six, a woeful position which quickly worsened despite a 44-run stand in eight overs between Andrew (27) and Gareth Batty (21).