Middlesex missed out on a place in the Royal London Cup quarter-finals after they were beaten by Surrey in a severely rain-reduced tie at Lord’s.

Victory would have put the home side through to the last eight, but they were unable to defend a low total of 101-8 in a match reduced to 16 overs a side.

Although Surrey were in difficulties at 35-4, a partnership of 66 between Ben Foakes and Zafar Ansari put the visitors back on course as they clinched the last remaining quarter-final berth.

Eventually put in to bat, Middlesex lost Dawid Malan in the first over, caught behind off Jade Dernbach (2-20), and a sharp diving catch from wicketkeeper Foakes then accounted for Nick Gubbins (7).

When Paul Stirling (13) was bowled by a slower ball in the same over from Tom Curran (3-26), the home side were in trouble at 23-3, but they rebuilt through John Simpson (29) and George Bailey (12).

The Australian was bowled coming down the wicket to Gareth Batty, but Middlesex looked set for a substantial total until they lost James Franklin (13) and Simpson in the space of three deliveries.

And, after a brief rain delay, the innings petered out as Middlesex scraped their way to 101-8 – but Surrey made a faltering start in reply as Jason Roy was caught behind first ball off Toby Roland-Jones.

Steven Davies (1) followed at the start of the next over, with Ollie Rayner snapping up a sharp slip catch, while Rory Burns (5) played on to James Harris (2-19).

Finch was beginning to find his feet with a succession of sixes and had reached 24 from 16 balls when he swung at Rayner and missed, pegging Surrey back at 35-4.

However, Foakes (45) and Ansari (29 not out) batted sensibly to keep the scoreboard ticking over and, although Foakes spooned Franklin to mid-on, Ansari sealed a five-wicket victory with four balls to spare.