WORCESTERSHIRE’S Friends Life t20 quarter-final qualification hopes were all but ended as they failed to overhaul Northamptonshire’s 137-6 at New Road.

The hosts’ run-chase was limited to 132-6 as they suffered a five-run defeat, which saw them slump to the foot of the Midlands/Wales/West Group after Gloucestershire thrashed Glamorgan.

In reply to Northants’ meagre total, Worcestershire lost overseas batsman Thilan Samaraweera early on when he was caught on the crease by David Willey for five.

Mohammad Azharullah then deceived Moeen Ali with a slower ball which the batsman tried to launch out the ground, but could only hoist to James Middlebrook at mid-on.

Alexei Kervezee’s struggles with the bat went on as he made just four before he was cleaned up by all-rounder Steven Crook.

Andre Russell, the County’s second overseas player, joined skipper Daryl Mitchell and they put on 64 in nine overs as Worcestershire edged towards their target.

However, the West Indian was looking to reach his half-century with a maximum off Willey, but he couldn’t quite clear Alex Wakely at long-off fence and the home side’s challenge faded away from there on in.

Gareth Andrew and Ben Cox were both bowled by full deliveries as the Northants bowlers stuck to the task impressively. Worcestershire were left requiring 21 off the last over, but Joe Leach and Mitchell were unable to guide their side to victory.

The home bowlers made a tight start to the Northants innings, but Richard Levi cut loose in the fifth over, which was delivered by Leach and cost 22 runs.

Kyle Coetzer had been the support act to Levi’s big-hitting, but he was clean bowled by Jack Shantry for 11 to make it 46-1.

The hundred came up in 14th over, with Levi having made 70 of them, but Andrew accounted for the dangerman when he pulled a slower ball straight to Russell.

The 25-year-old South African smashed six sixes and five fours in his 43-ball innings, which was ultimately the difference between the two sides.

Captain Wakely made just one before being trapped lbw by Moeen, while Cameron White struggled to get going, before holing out to Andrew in the deep off Choudhry.

The spinner (2-21 off four) then struck again three balls later, winning an lbw appeal against Crook to make it 116-5. Willey was then bowled by Russell for three.