Sussex’s unbeaten start to the Vitality Blast was ended in conclusive style at Hove this evening.

They were bowled out for 135 off the penultimate ball by Gloucestershire on their way to a 27-run defeat.

Luke Wright made 33 off 20 balls but home hopes faded when he was fifth man out, cutting straight to backward point, at the end of the ninth over with 58 on the board.

Other than the skipper, the top scorer among the top eight was Phil Salt with just 11.

But even he never looked at ease and was dropped while making that score.

Tymal Mills offered some late fun with 27 from just 16 balls and Ollie Robinson reached 31 off 19 with the contest all but over.

SCORECARD

Benny Howell took 4-15 off four overs and Ryan Higgins, having dropped Salt, 3-18 from 17 balls on a slower wicket than usual after recent rain.

Sussex had Gloucestershire in trouble at 35-4 off six overs but, with the notable exception of Mills (3-20 off four), then lost control.

WARM WELCOME BACK FOR ENGLAND'S OLLIE ROBINSON 

After taking time to have a look at the situation, Glenn Phillips (94 not out off 58 balls) and Jack Taylor (38 off 40) added 124 for the fifth wicket as the visitors closed on 162-5.