Bedfordshire suffered a setback in their Minor Counties Championship Eastern Division campaign as they went down to a four-wicket defeat against Cambridgeshire at Bedford Modern School.

There was further bad news for James Knott's side with the seam-bowling trio of Shaun Rashid, Paul Wilkinson and Brad Matthews all expected to miss this weekend's trip to Norfolk because of injury.

As with England's Test defeat to South Africa at Headingley on Monday, Beds' loss was brought about after they mustered an under-par first innings total.

After winning the toss, Beds were bowled out for 202 with only Richard Howitt, 69, and David Willey, 71, making any impression.

In reply, Matthew Pateman struck an impressive 145 as the visitors recovered from 121-5 to reach a commanding 337-7 from their 90 overs and take a substantial first-innings lead.

Pateman was well supported by Matthew Summers, 55, while Rashid was the pick of the home attack with 4-67 before injury cut short his participation.

The hosts made a better fist of things the second time around with Dan Bendon, Knott and Marcus Steed all hitting half-centuries in a total of 288.

At 74-1 chasing 155 for victory, Cambridgeshire appeared to be coasting home but the introduction of leg-spinners Andy Roberts, 3-37, and Bendon, 2-31, caused the visitors to slump to 106-6, still 49 runs short of victory.

At this stage, Beds were in with a chance but, an unbeaten 42 from veteran all-rounder Ajaz Akhtar ended any hopes of a second straight win.

Following the defeat Knott said: "We didn't make enough runs in the first innings, but our heads never went down and we really made Cambridgeshire fight for victory at the end.

"What has pleased me most both during both the win over Cumberland and this defeat has been the tremendous spirit in the dressing room."