Middlesex coach Nic Pothas paid tribute to Toby Roland-Jones after his career-best haul against Gloucestershire.

Roland-Jones claimed 7-52 to help dismiss the visitors for 201, in reply to Middlesex's 172.

And Pothas felt it was fair reward for some good form in recent times, having returned from injury, saying: "People look at the wickets and presume Toby has found his mojo.

"That actually started happening in Derby last week where in the second innings that zip was back.

"Toby has had a lot of catches dropped off him, but he has stayed so positive and is such a level individual.

"He is one of those blokes where everyone is ecstatic when he does well, so we are over the moon."

Middlesex old boy Ryan Higgins hit an unbeaten 61 to help Gloucestershire recover from 145-8 to gain a lead, then took three wickets before the close to leave the home side on 96-3, a lead of just 67.

Pothas added: "The game is probably around level now. The nature of the first innings means it's become a one innings game.

"We are fractionally in front now three down, so the morning is going to be crucial."