A late collapse robbed Sri Lanka of a 300-plus finish as they were bowled out for 276 with three balls remaining in Tuesday’s fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Nelson.

The visitors looked set for a big finish, but lost 6-31 in the final five overs after winning the toss.

The seven-match series is tied at 1-1, after the third ODI was rained out on Sunday in Auckland.

Tim Southee removed Dimuth Karunaratne early in the fifth over, trapping him in front for five.

But Tillakaratne Dilshan, whose 116 off 127 balls set up Sri Lanka’s six-wicket win in the second ODI, then combined with Kumar Sangakkara to put on 102 runs from 95 balls for the second wicket.

Kane Williamson, playing his first game of the series after a shoulder injury, dismissed Dilshan in the 21st over with the first ball of his spell.

Looking to chip over the infield, Dilshan floated a straightforward catch to Martin Guptill at short mid-off to leave Sri Lanka 2-113.

Mahela Jayawardene slotted in smoothly, the run rate ticking over until speedster Adam Milne struck twice with the first two balls of the 34th over.

Sangakkara chased a fuller delivery, looking for the cover drive but instead found Guptill at mid-off.

His 76 came off 83 balls, including eight fours and a six.

Milne’s next ball scuppered skipper Angelo Mathews, who wafted at a high ball down leg side and feathered a faint touch to wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi.

Master batsman Mahela Jayawardene set about regaining the initiative, combining with Lahiru Thirimanne in a 65-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Thirimanne disappeared halfway through the 45th over, clean bowled by Mitch McClenaghan for 19, and was followed an over later by the key wicket of Jayawardene who edged a faint touch from Corey Anderson to Ronchi’s safe gloves.

Jayawardene was hunting his second century of the series after stroking 104 in the first ODI. He fell six runs short, his 94 coming off 82 balls and including nine fours and three sixes.

Sri Lanka lost all momentum, Southee returning to account for Thisara Perera (five) and Jeevan Mendis (12) in his final overs.

Nuwan Kulasekara was run out for four courtesy of some Brendon McCullum acrobatics in the final over, Rangana Herath disappearing two balls later when he skied McClenaghan to Williamson at mid-on.

Southee finished with 3-59 off his 10 overs, with Milne (2-28) and McClenaghan (2-58) also providing valuable contributions.