FIRST-TEAM coach Alex Gidman admitted Worcestershire’s players felt “pretty scarred” and “beaten up” after suffering more misery at Durham.

County have not won in two months and Durham condemned them to a fourth defeat in seven Specsavers County Championship Division Two matches at the Emirates Riverside.

Ben Cox, Ed Barnard and Brett D’Oliveira provided stiff middle-lower order resistance before Worcestershire went down by 109 runs on the final day.

"Obviously we're disappointed,” Gidman said.

“We're in the middle of a tough patch.

FULL REPORT OF WORCESTERSHIRE'S DEFEAT AT DURHAM

“We had two fighting draws a couple of weeks ago and to lose last week hurt.

“This week has killed us off a little bit mentally.

“We're pretty scarred and beaten up - it's understandable.”

Barnard and Cox showed determination to add 96 for the sixth wicket in 25 overs after coming together at 56-5.

Cox had also been involved in a major sixth wicket stand with Callum Ferguson in similar circumstances against Derbyshire at Kidderminster last week.

On this occasion he wicket-keeper batsman top-scored with 62 and Barnard, who also picked up eight wickets in the game, made 43.

There was also strong defiance from Brett D’Oliveira (45 not out) before Worcestershire were bowled out for 242 in 84.4 overs shortly before a delayed tea.

However, as against Derbyshire, the loss of so many early wickets meant the remaining batsmen were left with a mountain to climb.

“It’s a disappointing result,” Gidman added.

“In reality, we didn’t perform well enough in the first innings with the bat and ball to give ourselves a chance later on in the game.

“For me that’s where we lost the game.”

Durham paceman Chris Rushworth inflicted the major damage by claiming the first five wickets to fall, three of them yesterday evening. He finished with 6-39 from 24.4 overs and 10 wickets in the game.

“Chris’ record speaks for itself in Championship cricket over the last few years, particularly here at the Riverside,” said Durham coach James Franklin.

“It’s one thing having conditions that are helpful, but it’s another thing doing it on a consistent basis.

“He’s a huge reason why we are where we are at the moment.

“If we are going to challenge to get promoted then we hope and we need him to take more wickets.

“Kudos to him for getting 10 wickets and getting on our honours’ board.

“It’s a hugely memorable game for him.”