The Northern Knights' winning start to 2015 has been halted after the Otago Volts chased down their record 308 in a final over thriller at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.

In yesterday's Ford Trophy action the southern men headed into the final over requiring nine runs to get across the line, in the end getting up by five wickets with three balls to spare.

Northern Knights captain Daniel Flynn plays a shot off the bowling of Otago Volts bowler Sam Wells at the Bay Oval. Photo: Cameron Avery.

Chasing the Knights' highest List A total playing at Bay Oval, exceeding the 301-7 they made against the Volts two seasons ago, the visitors were undaunted, making a big dent in the chase thanks to the solid work of their top order.

Aaron Redmond (64) bounced back strongly from the previous game while Sam Wells continued his storming return with a career best 93.

Together they poured on 134 for the first wicket, making the Knights sweat under the blistering Mount Maunganui sun.

When Knights' legspinner Ish Sodhi finally broke the stand in the 28th over - the first of three wickets - there was little relief for the hosts as Michael Bracewell stepped in to slash the white cherry around the park and threaten the record for the fastest Ford Trophy century.

Bracewell was caught for 83 off just 48 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes having crunched a half-century off just 30 balls.

His 111-run partnership with Wells ended just eight runs shy of the Volts' second-wicket record against the Knights.

Despite some feisty attacking bowling at the death from spinners Santner and Jono Boult, the Volts overcame a flurry of late wickets and scrabbled together the 23 runs needed from the final two overs to bring home the nailbiter.

Batting first after winning the toss, the Knights' 308-8 was built on the back of a landmark innings from emerging batsman Daryl Mitchell (100 not out), who backed up his pivotal half-century three days ago at the same venue with a maiden Ford Trophy and List A century.

He was supported by 45 from fellow youngster Mitchell Santner, while Dean Brownlie had got the ball rolling with a quality 66.

The five-wicket win pushes the Volts back up to second place on the Ford Trophy points table, behind the unbeaten Auckland Aces.

The result leaves the Knights' with two wins from four matches.

They return to Bay Oval on January 21 against the Auckland Aces in what will be both side's final Ford Trophy round robin match.