Romsey was unable to nab a win in its second McIntyre Cup Twenty20 against Gisborne, falling short by 18 runs at home.
Romsey won the toss and sent the visitors in, who quickly put runs on the board with a 40-run opening partnership between Warren Kelly (16) and Michael Allen (28).
Jason Wilson top-scored for Gisborne with 36 before he fell at 4/110 while Riley Vernon made 23 before he fell at 6/135 as the visitors finished its innings making 6/149.
Romsey shared the bowling load with seven bowlers taking one wicket each.
The Redbacks made a great start to its run chase with Chris Burkett (36) and Adam Frost (18) getting the scoreboard ticking over with a 43-run opening stand.
After Frost was dismissed at 2/65, Sean Day (42) and captain Ben Way (21) put on a 41-run partnership before Day was dismissed at 3/106.
Way followed soon after at 4/126 as Romsey ran out of time, finishing their innings at 4/131.
With the loss, Romsey sits just a game outside the top four and takes on third-place Sunbury United in an away two-dayer starting Saturday.