Democrats win Montana race to achieve Senate tie

US Democrats erased the Republican Senate majority today with a cliff-hanger victory in Montana, hours after taking control of the House.

The battle for Senate control came down to Virginia, where Democrats held a small lead.

Vice President Dick Cheney would become a tie-breaker in a 50-50 Senate.

The breakdown for the new Senate stood at Democrats 50, Republicans 49, with Virginia still too close to call.

Democratic challenger James Webb maintained a small lead over Republican incumbent James Allen, and a recount was possible.

Democrats captured five of the six Republican seats they needed for control - Ohio, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Montana - and managed to hold endangered Democratic seats in New Jersey and Maryland.