SURREY'S chances of clinching a place in the quarter-finals of the FPt20 are now hanging by a thread

Going into their final match the Brit Oval-based side need to win the game and hope a number of other results go their way.

The Lions produced an emphatic victory over Sussex at Arundel last Sunday to effectively keep them in the competition, perhaps inspired by a Chris Adams rollicking after their defeat the game before.

The club's cricket manager admitted giving his players a dressing down after their third successive defeat in the T20, against Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium.

He said: "We should be qualified [for the last eight] by now. We've played enough good cricket and shown enough quality in this form of the game to have qualified already.

"We've lost some games from situations that you should never lose from. That's disappointing.

"But, having said that, you can only deal with what's ahead of you. You can't change the past."

However, Adams says the response against a strong Sussex side was pleasing and hoped there was still time for the Lions to make the quarter-finals.

"Collectively I thought they were excellent and that is a standard the lads have set themselves," he added. "That must be the minimum requirement when they pitch up to play cricket in the future."

Adams added that he was pleased with the contribution of Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who has failed to live up to his reputation this summer.

"From ball one I thought we were excellent and the boys led from the front today, which is all we can ask them to do.

"It was great that Andrew took the first over, which hasn't happened before. It's something we've talked about – should we try it?

"Well, when you're in the position we are why not, let's have a go. It worked because if nothing else he's a competitive character and he bowled a really good first over.

"Chris Tremlett backed it up, as he's done all year in all forms for us. Tremlett bowled beautifully and got the crucial wicket of Murray Goodwin. We got five wickets in short time and our performance in the field was excellent."

Although even a resounding victory over Gloucestershire on Sunday may not be enough for the Lions to stay in the competition, but as Adams claimed that would not stop his side trying.

He added: "We must focus on that chance, that flicker of hope that we might still qualify. Results like this are great, but there is a tinge of disappointment because we're not already there."