WILTSHIRE’S hopes of progressing to the knockout phase of the Unicorns Twenty20 suffered a significant setback after a double defeat at home to Devon at the weekend.

The county were also beaten twice in their opening Group Four double-header against Dorset three weeks ago, and now must win all of their remaining four pool games in the competition to stand any chance of qualification to the latter stages.

Ed Young’s side were only beaten off the penultimate ball of the first game at South Wilts on Sunday.

In a match reduced to 12 overs per side, coach Tom Morton top scored as Wiltshire posted 79-7, with Matthew Pembridge doing the damage with the ball with figures of 5-8 off two overs.

Brad Dawson picked up four wickets as the visitors started their reply, but Dorset scored the winning runs with one ball to spare, finishing on 80-7 for a three-wicket triumph.

Wiltshire’s defeat was much more convincing in the second match as they were thumped by nine wickets after being bowled out for just 53.

No home batsman reached double figures as Pembridge again led the charge with the ball for Dorset, picking up three wickets.

An unbeaten 30 from Liam Lewis helped the visitors chase down their target with ease for the loss of just one wicket.

Wiltshire now travel to Wales this weekend for two matches at Newport CC where they will be desperate to galvanise their Twenty20 campaign.