CAPTAIN Chris Park bemoaned the timing of Dorset’s wickets as hopes of a last-day draw against Wiltshire swiftly evaporated at Dean Park.

Solid work from Masoor Khan (41), Ryan Scott (46) and Jake Lintott (58) edged the hosts towards their goal with the score at 245 for seven from 89 overs at tea.

But after Mark Wolstenholme and Sam Thomson went for ducks, Park (18) became the final victim as the visitors secured a 142-run triumph within five overs of the restart.

Park told the Daily Echo: “The intent was to hold out for the day. To take it to after tea was a small positive but unfortunately, losing valuable wickets at key times throughout the day – at the beginning, after drinks, coming into lunch – was disappointing.

“Over the three days, we have to be honest and admit that Wiltshire were the better side.

“We have a positive belief in our camp that our strength is playing three-day cricket. We were disappointed to let them get to 357 and then to bat for only 63 overs. That was where I felt we lost the game.

“Had we batted our full 90 overs in the first innings, Wiltshire would not have enjoyed the kind of control that allowed them to put a huge amount of pressure on our batters on a good but deteriorating pitch.”