WILTSHIRE'S dream turned into a nightmare on Sunday as hopes of reaching their first Lord's final for 10 years were crushed with an eight-wicket defeat to Northumberland.

Perhaps the Wiltshire players' thoughts were already on a potential appearance at the home of cricket as they seemed miles away from the Minor Counties Knockout trophy semi-final at Westbury.

By lunchtime Wiltshire had been bowled out for a meagre 91 and their visitors had no problems in reaching their target for the loss of just one wicket to look forward to a showpiece final.

Wiltshire captain Russell Rowe was disappointed with the display and admitted they had been thoroughly outplayed.

He said: "We were poor all round and to be honest we never really gave ourselves a chance to win the game.

"A trip to Lord's would have been very nice and would have been a nice end to an enjoyable season, but we have to forget about it now.

"Losing the toss was a big moment because the pitch was doing a lot and the coin toss was definitely a big factor in the result.

"Having said that we batted very sloppily and by only making 91, we had no chance of sneaking a result."

Former England all-rounder Richard Illingworth and stalwart Steve Perrin were included in the Wiltshire side.

After winning the toss, Northumberland put Wiltshire in to bat in overcast conditions on a pitch containing some dampness, and their opening bowlers took full advantage.

Martin Pollard, with 4-24, and Mark Symington, with 2 for 32, destroyed the early batting with accurate swing and seam bowling.

Wiltshire lost Kevin Blackburn off the second ball of the match and were soon 15-3, a score they never recovered from as they crashed to 91 all out off 36.1 overs.

Last man in, Kevin Nash, top scored with 15 not out and the highest partnership of the innings was 29 runs for the last wicket between Nash and Neil Shardlow.

Feint hopes of a dramatic recovery were lifted when Illingworth caught opener Alan Worthy off the bowling of Richard Bedbrook in the first over but that was as far as the excitement for the home fans went.

The visitors had little trouble in reaching their target off 23.3 overs for the loss of just one more wicket.

Dave Shurben top scored on 46, while Adam Heather was 34 not out.

Wiltshire's final match of the season is a three-day championship match against Western Division leaders Devon at Exmouth, starting on Sunday.

Wiltshire under 17 captain from South Wilts, James Hayward, will make his debut in a match where a Wiltshire win will guarantee a home tie in the first round of the C & G Trophy next season.