Alex Gidman praised Gloucestershire's character after the crushing blow of their semi-final defeat.

Chasing 327 to win at Sussex for a place in a Lord's final, the Gladiators crashed out of the Friends Provident Trophy by a 34-run margin – despite Gidman's sparkling 116 from 117 deliveries.

The skipper said: "We could have been chasing 350 but pegged them back well with the ball and in the field.

"After that we gave it a really good crack with the bat, so I think we showed plenty of character throughout the game.

"I've got no complaints with the way the guys tried, it's just the way sport is."

Eyebrows were raised when Gidman opted to bowl first on a sun-drenched Hove wicket, but afterwards he insisted there were no regrets at having to chase down a daunting total.

"We knew the game would span out like that and we had planned for that scenario, so it's gutting to come up short," he said.

"The plans we had in place meant we were happy to do either, and I particularly felt bowling first would suit our tactics and the way we wanted to play the game.

"That certainly wasn't the reason we lost the game – the partnership between myself and Hamish Marshall (155) was the highest of the match."

Gidman looked like being the matchwinner until he was given out caught behind off his opposite number Michael Yardy in the 41st over.

Though visibly unhappy at the decision on the field, he was a model of diplomacy at the close of play.

"I'm not sure if I hit the ball but obviously there was some noise or deflection that I was unaware of," Gidman said. "That's the way it goes – some you get and some you don't. I've got to deal with it and move on.

"One of us needed to contribute, and from a selfish point of view I'm pleased it was me, although I thought Hamish played particularly well and his run-out was unfortunate."

Gloucestershire CCC now have a week to lick their wounds ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, which starts this Sunday with a Championship match against Derbyshire.

Gidman added: "We've got a busy period coming up and we need to be sharp for it, so we'll use this defeat and the one down at Kent to fire up our campaign again."