Middlesex batsman Stevie Eskinazi could not hide his frustration after his side’s Royal London One-Day Cup defeat against Surrey.
Paul Stirling’s 67 led the way as the home side were dismissed for 234, with England international Tom Curran taking 4-33 for Surrey.
But Steve Finn and Tom Helm reduced the visitors to 44-3, before Rory Burns (40), Ben Foakes (86) and Ollie Pope (57 not out) combined in stands of 89 and 98 to set up a five-wicket win.
Eskinazi said: “It’s a bitterly disappointing result to be honest with you.
“We were right in the game at 44-3, but in the end, I guess we will rue not scoring an extra 20-30 runs or getting an extra wicket or two in the powerplay.
“‘Stirlo’ (Paul Stirling) has been incredible really and had what the rest of us as a batting group have lacked as he has shown how to adapt to the conditions.
“He has blazed away on flat wickets and played within himself when he’s needed to.
“He, along with ‘Gubbo’ (Nick Gubbins) has carried the batting side and we are disappointed we could not stick with him.”
Middlesex travel to Bristol to take on Gloucestershire in their final south group game on Wednesday.
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