Sussex coach Peter Moores today vowed his side would come back "stronger and better" after the season ended with relegation from the National League.

Yesterday's six-wicket defeat by Lancashire at Old Trafford condemned the county to bottom place in the first division the day after they had also finished last in the County Championship.

Moores said: "There's no point hiding from the fact that the season has ended very disappointingly. All our weaknesses have been exposed."

"In the last six weeks things have gone downhill quite quickly, but as long as the players go away in the winter and work hard at their games I'm sure we will come back better and stronger.

"They have to have the belief that the club is backing them. That is definitely the case and it will help us get the best out of them next season.

"We know where our weaknesses are as a team and individuals know what they have to do to improve, myself included."

Michael Bevan scored his ninth half-century of the season to pass 700 runs in the competition, but Sussex were beaten with three overs to spare after Lancashire reached a target of 153 revised under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

James Kirtley hopes his season will end on a high with selection for England A's winter tour of West Indies. The squad, who will be coached by Moores, is due to be announced today.