All-rounder Luis Reece hit a career-best 92 as Derbyshire beat Durham by four wickets to claim their second Royal London One-Day Cup win in three games.
Reece produced a man of the match performance to strike 92 from 107 balls and claim 2-43 in his nine overs to help the Falcons to victory with two balls remaining.
A partnership of 124 between Reece and Captain Billy Godleman (60) set a platform for Derbyshire to secure the win, whilst Duanne Olivier and Matt Critchley earlier took two wickets each to restrict the visitors to 272-8.
Durham won the toss, elected to bat first and the opening batsmen got off to a fast start. Cameron Steel and Graham Clark hit four boundaries in the opening two overs to take Durham to a total of 51-0 after the opening power play.
Wayne Madsen started the Derbyshire fightback in the 11th over with a direct hit to run out Steele for 24. Critchley then removed the remaining opener Clark for 45 in the 16th, bowled as he looked to push through the off side.
New Zealand international Tom Latham steadied the ship for Durham with two fifty partnerships alongside Michael Richardson (41) and Ryan Pringle (30) as he went on to make 66 from 81 balls before he was caught on the boundary by Madsen off Ravi Rampaul.
Smit took impressive catches to remove Richardson and Pringle to take his tally to seven in three one-day matches to leave the score at 210-6.
The hosts looked like restricting Durham to below 250, but a late surge from the tail saw Chris Rushworth and Nathan Rimmington both hit sixes to set Derbyshire 273 to win.
Opener Ben Slater started strongly for the home side in reply with four boundaries, but he was bowled by a good ball from Matt Dixon for 24 in the seventh over.
Reece was next to the crease to join Godleman, and the pair built a stand worth 124 to provide a platform for the Falcons to push on in the run chase.
Godleman continued his fine form to notch his second fifty in three one-day matches, hitting four boundaries in his 60 from 91 balls. Reece also went on to secure his career-best score in List A cricket, including 11 fours to record consecutive fifties.
The momentum then swung towards Durham as Nathan Rimmington removed Godleman, Madsen (4) and Critchley (0) in the space of three overs during a positive spell for the former Derbyshire bowler.
Despite losing quick wickets, Gary Wilson (40) and Alex Hughes (42 not out) put together an inspired 80-run partnership from 56 balls to see Derbyshire over the line with four wickets to spare.
Typified by an over in which both batsmen hit boundaries to take 18 from six balls, the pair climbed ahead of the run rate with powerful striking to give Derbyshire victory with two balls to spare.
Derbyshire are back in Royal London One-Day Cup action at The 3aaa County Ground on Friday, when they take on Leicestershire Foxes; 11am start.
Royal London One-Day Cup is back at The 3aaa County Ground! Derbyshire will host four 50-over fixtures in May and June. Buy your match tickets in advance & save.
Derbyshire vs Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 25 May
Derbyshire vs Yorkshire Vikings – Wednesday 30 May
Derbyshire vs Lancashire Lightning – Sunday 3 June
