WORCESTERSHIRE'S miserable start to the Championship season continued after slumping to Derbyshire by 35 runs at New Road.

Despite the best efforts of Kabir Ali, whose scintallating 7-43 left the County chasing 210 to win on the third day's play, the visitors kept one step ahead and skittled out Vikram Solanki's men for 174.

It means Worcestershire have lost their opening three fixtures on home territory so far this season, following a four-day defeat to Somerset and C&G Trophy loss against Lancashire.

They remain bottom of Division Two after gleaning just five bonus points.

The County looked on course to meet a more-than-challenging target after racing to 45-0 in quick-fire style.

But they suddenly lost four wickets in 12 balls, the top-order providing no answer to uneven bounce and seam movement in humid conditions.

Stephen Moore struck several crisp boundaries before falling victim to Steffan Jones, who also claimed Graeme Hick and Steve Davies in a fine spell.

Derbyshire skipper Graeme Welch sent Daryl Mitchell and Solanki back to the pavilion, the County skipper des-patched for a first-ball duck less than 24 hours after smashing his first Championship century in almost two years.

After two rain breaks, Derbyshire wrapped up victory with Welch claiming 4-33, Jones 4-62 and James Pipe enjoying a fine return to New Road with nine match scalps.

Ray Price offered his own desperate fightback with a cameo 56, sharing in a last-wicket stand of 60 with Nadeem Malik, but the Zimbabwean's battle ended when he tickled behind to Pipe.

It was not just Worcestershire's batsmen finding it tough going on a wicket offering too much assistance to seamers.

Earlier, Derbyshire were equally in knots facing Zaheer Khan and Kabir Ali, who turned in his finest Championship figures since his personal best of 8-53 against Yorkshire in August 2003.

Khan stole the plaudits in the first innings with a six-wicket show, and took 9-118 overall, but it was England international Kabir's turn as chief-destroyer.

Showing excellent control, Kabir removed Derbyshire's top scorer and dangerman Michael Di Venuto for 58 and the entire tail-end later on, edging Khan's match figures with 9-112.