The Rail's Col Yeaman smashed a century but Lake Illawarra head into the new year as South Coast leaders after a hard-fought victory in round four at Howard Fowles Oval.
The Lakers set up victory by posting 270 on day one, but Yeaman's fine 100 ensured a tight contest, with the visitors eventually bowled out for 242.
Mark Ulcigrai took 4-41 for Lake, including the key wicket of Yeaman, while The Rail skipper Simon Bartlett made 45 at the top of the order.
From 7-150, Yeaman and Matt Olson (14) added 70 to give The Rail a sniff of victory.
The match ended in bizarre circumstances with Adrian Arciuli given out handling the ball as Lake extended their lead to 23 points over Oak Flats heading into the Christmas break.
Oak Flats leapfrogged Albion Park into second spot after a convincing win at Keith Grey Oval.
Resuming at 2-65 chasing 172, Oak Flats were 6-147 before top-scorer Ryan Chatterton (75) and Daniel Beasley (15) steered the Rats to victory.
Matt Counsell made 63 and Ty Cherry an unbeaten 32 as Oak Flats declared at 9-293.
Jess Hancock took 4-46 for the Park, who picked up a second innings bonus point after finishing the match at 6-99.
Meanwhile, premiers Warilla had to be content with first innings points against a spirited Kiama at Oakleigh Park.
Chasing an unlikely 299, Kiama batted for 69.1 overs, before being bowled out for 192. Ben King-Gee (48) and skipper Jaya Hartgerink (40) top-scored for Kiama, while Callum deBruyn (3-35) bowled well for Warilla.
Craig Bramble (53 not out) and Gerard Healey (53 not out) helped Warilla reach 6-182 in their second innings.
Gerringong kept their top four hopes alive with an easy win over Jamberoo at Gerry Emery Oval, after Jamberoo made just 74 in their first innings.
Ladder: Lake Illawarra 70, Oak Flats 47, Warilla Sports 46, Albion Park 42, Gerringong 35, Shellharbour 33, The Rail 22, Kiama 13, Jamberoo 9.
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