Worcestershire assistant coach Matt Mason gives his reaction on the 113 run defeat by Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge to BBC Hereford-Worcester's Dave Bradley.
Question: A bit of a bitter pill to swallow?
Matt Mason: "Very disappointing. The guys are pretty distraught after that loss. I thought over the four days there were positions we got into where we looked like the only winners.
"But Notts as an experienced team like that can do, they fought back, put us under pressure, and then we'd fight back for a little bit, and they'd fight back and eventually their experience and the pressure they put on us just told at the end.
"Unfortunately we weren't able to get away with a win or even a draw as it turned out."
Question: When Daryl Mitchell and Joe Clarke were going well, a win looked on?
Matt Mason: "We were pretty happy at lunch-time to be honest. With Clarkey and Mitch going so well, the tempo looked like it was in our favour.
"They had a wilting bowling attack although I thought Hutton in this game was outstanding, and ran in all day, as did the big fellow Carter who is injured.
"They kept coming to be fair and things can happen so quickly. Two quick wickets put the momentum back in their favour and we never really recovered."
Question: You should have kicked on from 204-3 in the first innings?
Matt Mason: "I think we all recognised afterwards that was probably the turning point. We had a chance to go on and maybe 400, 450, and that would put a completely different complexion on the game.
"But, as has happened a few times this year, we just failed to do that, failed to keep the opposition on the floor, but that's part of our learning curve as young cricketers.
"We've got to understand we are up against some tough teams who have played in this division for a long time and they won't just lay down and die and maybe we need to become more tough in those situations ourselves and keep the opposition down."
Question: A great example of why county cricket should stay exactly the same?
Matt Mason: "And for once this year, it's a game that has slmost gone to the wire. We've had some interesting results in matches short of four days but this one was a topsy turvy affair and kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
"Great advert for cricket and I wouldn't change the format. That's what makes it so unique. It's tough, there is lots of it but that's what we want to do as coaches and players and that's what the fans want."
Question: A young dressing room, how do you pick them up from here?
Matt Mason: "We've got to pick them up quickly because we've got a Twenty20 game here tomorrow and we start against Hampshire on Monday. It just keeps coming so you can't dwell for too long.
"We've got to try and pick the lads up, keep building their confidence. They know they haven't had the best of games. Just take any learning we can from the experience.
"As I keep telling myself, how good this group of cricketers can be in three years, keeps me going, because I really do believe these experiences, although on the surface they don't look great, will put us in good stead in the future."
Question: Pluses coming out of the game?
Matt Mason: "Tom Fell looks terrific. In both innings, he looked fantastic. Richard Oliver was unlucky to get his 100, Mitch's fighting innings, Jack Shantry, Joe Leach, running in with the ball like they did, there was some really positive stuff.
"We musn't get that lost amongst the negative stuff. There are lots of positives that we can take forward."
Question: Back out tomorrow against The Outlaws? Matt Mason:
"I think we will come up against a different Notts team because they've had a few injury this game.
"It looks like we are going to be playing on a used wicket so I'm not sure what sort of cricket we will see here tomorrow night.
"We've got great momentum in that competition. Although we lost the last one, the guys are very confident in that format.
"We will have some injection with Ross Whiteley coming in and a few others. We will have some fresh legs out there and it should be an entertaining game."
Question: How is Alex Gidman? Matt Mason: "He is fine. He is still a little bit groggy when he does a bit of physical activity. It was a nasty knock but he'll be fine I would hope for the Hampshire game."
