Yorkshire’s hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy have been dented after they lost their third match in a row.

Gloucestershire’s three-wicket win at Bristol yesterday was the West Country side’s fifth out of five Group ‘C’ matches and they have virtually qualified for the last eight.

The Tykes had their chances to win this game, especially when a spell of three wickets in seven balls from influential left-arm spinner David Wainwright reduced the hosts to 107-6 in their pursuit of 218.

But they will ultimately look back with regret on their horrendous start with the bat, when they were reduced to 49-5 in the 16th over.

In-form captain Anthony McGrath and all-rounder Rich Pyrah both hit 67 to get the visitors to a respectable 217-9 from their 50 overs.

Gloucestershire’s New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin, who had earlier claimed three wickets, and wicketkeeper Stephen Adshead (56) shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 106 in 18 overs to secure the two points.

Franklin ended the game unbeaten on 51 when he hit the second ball of the final over for four. “I think we are going to have to win our last three games to qualify,” said McGrath, who came off the field with a back complaint midway through Gloucester’s chase.

“It was a bit of a topsy-turvy game. I think we were a little under par with the score, but the bowlers did a fantastic job. Wainers bowled really well.”

Wainwright, playing his first 50-over game of the season, claimed three wickets in his first seven balls without conceding a run to help reduce the hosts from 102-3 to 107-6.

The 24-year-old, claiming a career-best haul in the process, took two wickets in his first four balls before getting his third with the first ball of his second over.

Will Porterfield (34), Chris Taylor and Alex Gidman were his victims.

McGrath and Pyrah, who confirmed a career best, shared a backs to the wall sixth-wicket partnership of 115 in 27 overs before Simon Guy (22), Deon Kruis and Wainwright all added late runs.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Kruis took a wicket each to reduce the hosts to 23-2, but Yorkshire’s best chance came of victory came following Wainwright’s burst.

Jon Lewis was Gloucester’s bowling pick with figures of 4-43 from nine overs.

Yorkshire face Durham at Headingley tomorrow knowing a win is a must.