Eugene Laverty has moved himself back into the World Supersport title fight after Cal Crutchlow was forced to retire whilst dominating proceedings at Brno.

The Briton was leading the race by more than six seconds when his Yamaha began slowing with less than three laps remaining, his demise instead allowing team-mate Fabien Foret to claim a stunning last gasp win.

Although he couldn't take full advantage, Laverty's fifth place means Crutchlow's margin over him in the overall standings is down to 17 points with four races - and a maximum of 100 points - remaining.

Crutchlow looked to be on course for a decisive fifth win of the season having been in charge of the race from the second lap, the championship leader setting a series of fastest laps to pile on the margin over closest rival Joan Lascorz. However, it was all to no avail, Crutchlow slowing midway around the 15th lap before cruising into his first retirement of the season.

His demise, however, would go on to prompt an outstanding race finale as four riders disputed what had now been upgraded to race victory.

Having faded into the clutches of Foret and Katsuaki Fujiwara, Lascorz was doing his best remain in contention, the Kawasaki rider initially losing out to Foret, only to snatch what was now the lead on the final lap of the race.

However, with Foret, Fujiwara and now Anthony West, the Australian launching a remarkable charge up the order during the latter stages, all in close company, the quartet jostled for position in each of Brno's sweeping bends.

As they made their way up the hill for the final time, it was West who had forged his way into the lead, ahead of Lascorz and Foret, who himself had only just managed to resist a barrage of passing attempts by Fujiwara earlier in the lap.

However, despite the Stiggy Honda rider's best attempts, he couldn't do anything about an inspired late lunge from Foret into the final bend, the Frenchman moving up two positions to claim a surprise victory.