Middlesex head coach Stuart Law admitted they had nobody to blame but themselves after a seven-wicket County Championship defeat against Division Two rivals Sussex at Hove on Tuesday.

Dismissed for 75 in their first innings as Ollie Robinson (8-34) ran riot, before the hosts replied with 309, the 2016 champions battled to make 378 second time around.

And they posed some questions as Sussex slipped to 44-3 in pursuit of victory, before Luke Wells and Alex Carey combined to close the deal.

Law said: "If you get bowled out for 75 you're not winning too many games of cricket. We've got no-one else to blame but ourselves for getting into that mess.

"The wicket had a bit in it in the first innings - they always do in four-day cricket - but we've got to find ways to get through that to negate what was effectively one bowler.

"He bowled beautifully, Ollie Robinson. But we can't keep doing it to ourselves and expect good results."

Half-centuries from Sam Robson (68), John Simpson (89), James Harris (66) and Steven Finn, who equalled his career-best 56 and shared 79 for the last wicket with Tim Murtagh (25 not out) at least allowed Middlesex to give themselves a glimmer of hope.

But Australian Law says there are lots of improvements to be made, particularly when it comes to the mental aspect of the game.

He added: "There's a lot of language used in the dressing room and I think it borders on negativity. We've got to think the positives all the time.

"Being positive is playing good cricket and having clearer thoughts. Sitting up in the dressing room and waiting to bat and hearing some of the comments that are being made out in the middle, I don't think it's helping us play the game.

"It's one thing that's got to change. There are a number of other things that need to change as well. The players have got the skill. It's a matter of application and determination inside them.

"You can see they're disappointed but something's got to change. They need to get time in the middle, to give ourselves an opportunity, apply ourselves better, particularly in the first innings.

"But take nothing away from Sussex. They played pretty well, and Ollie was outstanding. Full credit."