IRELAND'S Margaret Johnston clung to her Women's World Bowls singles crown at Lemington Spa near Birmingham last night, snatching a knife edge 25-24 victory over England's Wendy Line to keep her hopes alive.

Johnston lost for the third time in eight matches when going down 13-25 to Botswana's Babs Anderson, one of her closest rivals, in yesterday's opening session. And she cannot afford to lose another game in her league, which she must win to reach Sunday's final.

Johnston and Line, a former Commonwealth singles champion, were involved in an amazing encounter. The players were locked together at 7-7, 9-9, 16-16, 19-19, 23-23 and 24-24.

Then, at the next end, the 31st, Johnston put her first bowl on the jack and held onto that shot to achieve victory 25-24.

Meanwhile, Johnston's great rival, Scotland's Joyce Lindores, lost for the first time in nine matches when she was edged out 23-25 by New Zealand Judy Howat.

Lindores is still at the top of the league, one point ahead of Howat and two points in front of Johnston, Anderson, Line and Fiji's Litia Tikoisuva. The players gee one point for each win and have six games to play.