THERE was no second chance for Worcestershire as they slipped to a five-run defeat in their replayed NatWest Trophy third round tie with Gloucestershire.

The Trophy holders made full use of the reprieve they were handed when Worcestershire fielded ineligible paceman Kabir Ali in the first meeting, which the County won by three wickets.

Gloucestershire just held on for victory in a gripping finish to line up a tie with Leicestershire today.

Overcast conditions suited the bowlers from the start and Glenn McGrath took full advantage, trapping Rob Cunliffe lbw with the fourth ball of the match. He finished with 4-23 and was well supported by Stuart Lampitt (2-25) as the visitors were bowled out for 163.

In reply, the County lost Elliott Wilson in the first over but their chief destroyer was paceman James Averis, whose spell of 4-36 included the vital wicket of Graeme Hick, brilliantly caught at slip by Martyn Ball for 23.

They were in disarray at 61-5, with Ryan Driver, man-of-the-match in the first meeting, being dismissed by Michael Cawdron for a duck.

But Paul Pollard and Steve Rhodes, slowly but surely, rebuilt the innings with a sixth-wicket stand of 61. However, Pollard was crucially run out for 55 when he tried for a risky second run.

When last man McGrath joined Rhodes, 23 were still needed, but Rhodes shielded his partner well and was on strike with six needed off the last over. But he was bowled by Ball's third delivery for 43 as the County were dismissed for 158.