JON Lewis expressed frustration and disappointment in equal measure after Gloucestershire's already dismal season took a further turn for the worse.

Beaten by Nottinghamshire in a Pro40 League match they looked like winning, the Gladiators were foiled by the elements at Cheltenham.

The home side were 92-4 in pursuit of 209 when the rain intervened at the College Ground, handing Notts victory by nine runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Ruled out of the contest by a side strain, Lewis watched in disbelief as his team suffered another hammer blow in what is fast becoming a season to forget.

“It's extremely disappointing because we were really in the box seat and looked sure to go on and win the game,” said Lewis.

“I'm absolutely sure of that. We know how to go about chasing here at Cheltenham and I'm sure we would have gone on to win had the rain not come when it did.

“These are the kind of things that happen when you're having a bad time and it's hard to take.

“But the guys just have to stay strong, dig in and try and produce another performance like that against Sussex here on Tuesday.”

Gloucestershire fell behind the required rate following Mark Ealham's burst of 3-10 in four overs and Lewis highlighted the dismissal of former New Zealand Test batsman Hamish Marshall, pinned lbw, as a turning point.

He said: “Hamish got a poor decision. He definitely got his bat on the ball and was very unfortunate.

“I felt we were favourites at that stage. But Notts took a few quick wickets, the game suddenly changed and then the rain came. It's so frustrating for all the guys because they have played some very good cricket.

“We bowled well and our fielding was outstanding and, all in all, it was a first-class performance. But we still ended up losing the game.”

Meanwhile, Craig Spearman was today due to announce his long-awaited return from serious injury.

Sidelined since a Johannes van der Wath bouncer fractured his cheekbone during a Twenty20 Cup tie against Northants at Milton Keynes on June 17, the opening batsman will make his comeback for the Lord's Taverners in a 45-overs-a-side contest against an Old England XI at Cheltenham College (11.30am).

And the former New Zealand international, now fully recovered from his injuries, could yet be considered for next Sunday's Pro40 League fixture with Hampshire at the same venue.