Worthing Thunder suffered a bitterly disappointing 95-88 defeat at Teesside in their National Cup quarter-final.

The result means the cup, won by Brighton Bears last January, will be leaving Sussex after just one season.

Thunder led 21-15 at the quarter, trailed 46-40 at the half and were level at 63-63 with ten minutes to go.

They will feel they should have won the game having gone eight points clear in the fourth quarter.

Teesside then surged three points clear and, when David Butterworth's attempted three-pointer missed the target, the hosts completed their win.

Jamal Johnson and Gaylon Moore battled hard inside and Daniel Hildreth also impressed against a home side for whom EJ Harrison hit 25 points.

Thunder: Johnson 34, Moore 26, Hildreth 10, Butterworth 9, Gayle 7, Harris 2.