DORSET saw their MCCA Knockout Trophy hopes all but evaporate after a disappointing five-wicket defeat against Herefordshire at Redlands yesterday.

A top-order collapse saw the hosts skittled all out for 185 despite a sublime knock from opener Nick Park, who batted all the way through to end the innings on 84 not out.

Dorset’s search for early wickets then failed to materialise after lunch as the visitors cantered to victory with five wickets and 6.5 overs to spare.

The defeat means Sean Walbridge’s men need to win their last two games in group three but even if they manage that their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages will still be very slim.

“All we can do now is try and beat Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, and see where that takes us,” said Walbridge afterwards.

“If we do that it probably still won’t be enough but it is important we try and build up some momentum for the three-day campaign because we have still got a Minor Counties title to defend.”

Commenting on the game itself, Walbridge went on to add: “Apart from Nick, no one stuck in there or applied themselves.

“It was difficult early on and the pitch was doing a bit but for one man to bat through and no one to stick with him was a bit disappointing.

“Saying that, to go from 35-0 to 96-6 and still manage to put on a score of 185 showed good character and had we managed to get around 230, I think it would have been totally different.

“To give Herefordshire credit though, they bowled very well and batted very sensibly, and we were never able to build up any pressure with the ball.

“We really needed a couple of early wickets but they did not come and in the end they knocked them off quite comfortably.”

Dorset will travel to Bedfordshire on May 29 before hosting Hertford-shire at Dorchester Rec on June 5.

* Report and more reaction tomorrow