Middlesex’s Nathan Sowter took career-best T20 figures of 4-23 against Essex but coould not prevent his side falling to a nine-run loss.

The Australian leg-spinner shone as the home side made 172-9, with Tom Helm nabbing 2-30.

But the visitors came up short on 163-7 as Essex turned the screw in the field late on and Sowter said: “It was a disappointing night. The lads are quite upset. We thought we had a good chance of chasing that total. They got off to a flier and we pulled them back quite well.

“We still felt we were right in the match with five overs to go. We still needed 10 an over, but we’re happy with that and 10-12 off the last over. But they bowled extremely well. Those overs [14, 16 and 17] were the key passage of the game. We’ve talked about it. Hopefully moving on to Tuesday night we can pick it up.

“Thursday night against Glamorgan was an incredible night in front of a packed crowd at Lord’s, but to come here, get ourselves into a good position to win the game and then lose was disappointing.

“We just got a little bit stuck in the middle and there were too many dot balls. We know our mistakes. We’ve had plenty of opportunities to fix it and we keep coming up a little bit short. But we’re not too far off – two wins to finish and hopefully things will go our way. We’re still thinking positively. We just need to be better at what we’re doing.”

Sowter ended Adam Wheater’s assault after 43 from 21 balls and added the scalps of Dan Lawrence, Ravi Bopara and James Foster.

But although pleased with his own display, the 24-year-old Sowter admitted the result took the gloss off, adding: “It’s always nice to perform – but I like winning. It’s a downer after the positive of the other night. I was pleased with the way I bowled, but disappointed we haven’t got the victory.

“I play to win it. I wouldn’t worry if I had none for 40 and we won the game. It’s nice to perform but you like to get the win to go with it. It’s really upsetting to be honest.”