COACH Alan Willows admits Dorset’s chances of progressing to the MCCA Trophy quarter-finals are “not looking good” following a shock defeat at the hands of previously winless Staffordshire.

Dorset, who would have taken a significant step towards qualifying for the last eight with victory, saw their middle order capitulate and suffered a 21-run defeat to group four’s backmarkers at Dean Park.

Chasing Staffordshire’s 259-9, Jake Lintott (65) and Charlie Esson (28) put on 100 for the first wicket as the Dorset reply started promisingly.

However, after Lintott had been dismissed by Kevin Cockerton, Esson quickly suffered the same fate, sparking a collapse which saw Dorset slump to 159-7.

Although skipper Tom Hicks (30), Bashley’s Simon Watkins (23) and Matt Drakeley (21) all made contributions further down the order, the hosts were eventually dismissed for 238.

Staffordshire wicketkeeper Paul Goodwin pouched five catches for the visitors.

Defeat leaves Dorset needing to win at Buckinghamshire next Sunday and also hoping group leaders Wales can topple Berkshire who currently occupy the second place in group four. The top two qualify.

Coach Willows said: “It is not in our hands now. The results put us in a very vulnerable position and we probably have to win by a lot next weekend. Our run-rate is not particularly great and it is going to be very difficult to qualify now.

“It is our own fault really – we had our chance and, while we are not out of it yet, it is not looking good.”

On the match, Willows added: “After playing so well against Berkshire it was a very disappointing display. We chose to bowl and conceded 30 wides which, at this level, is not good.

“We started well in response but no one really managed a significant score after the opening pairing. There was one big partnership but we never got going after that.”