RICHARD Dawson wants his Gloucestershire players to use the disappointment of failure to reach NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day as a spur to win promotion in the Specsavers County Championship.

The head coach admits that losing to Durham at Bristol in the T20 quarter-final on Wednesday night was a heavy blow, which hit him as hard as anyone.

But Dawson insists the season is far from over and will be seeking a positive response to the setback when Sussex provide the opposition for a Championship fixture at Hove, starting on Saturday.

Gloucestershire go into the match fifth in the Second Division table, but only 19 points behind leaders Essex with a game in hand.

Dawson said: "We knew going into the Durham match that we were still in with a shout in two competitions. Now that is down to one, so we have to re-focus quickly.

"We are in a very decent position in the Championship and Sussex is obviously a big game.

"Only time will tell whether the quarter-final defeat has a bad effect or brings us closer together. It’s vital that we get our heads right going into the four-day match.

"Yes, there is disappointment around the squad because we've just lost a big chance to win a trophy, but you can't dwell on that.

“The schedule means another game in a different competition just a few days later and we have to react positively.

“Sussex are an excellent side, who have been playing some good cricket and it's a tight table. There is so much still to play for.”

Chris Dent is getting close to a return after a broken finger, but Dawson is not sure whether the Sussex game will come too soon for the left-handed opening batsman.

Gareth Roderick definitely needs more time to overcome a similar injury, so loan recruit Phil Mustard is set to make his first Championship appearance for Gloucestershire.

Dawson insists the success in winning the South Group of the NatWest Blast and still being in the hunt for promotion in the Championship is no more than he expected.

“I actually believed we would reach the quarter finals of both one-day competitions,” he said.

"We got into one and under-achieved in the Royal London Cup. I also felt we were capable of arriving at this stage of the season with a chance of getting promotion in four-day cricket, which is the case.

"I rate the lads in the changing room. They are improving as a group and we have some very good players in there.

“I expected us to be in a position like this and now we have to move forward and keep things going."