WORCESTERSHIRE assistant coach Matt Mason admitted the players were left "pretty distraught" after their 113-run defeat to Nottinghamshire in LV= County Championship Division One.

The County slipped back into the relegation zone, 13 points behind Notts, ahead of their crunch clash with bottom-of-the-table Hampshire at New Road, starting on Monday (11am).

Worcestershire again had the better of the first innings but will have wanted to earn a larger lead than 43 runs after falling from 207-4 to 283 all out when batting second at Trent Bridge.

Seamer Jack Shantry then took 5-48 from 35.4 overs, though his impressive efforts in sweltering conditions could not prevent Notts amassing 366 in their second innings.

Skipper Daryl Mitchell (76) and Tom Fell (58) gave the County a promising start chasing 324 to win but they collapsed from 193-4 to 210 all out, with Alex Gidman unable to bat due to concussion, as Notts secured a precious second victory of the Championship season.

Mason said: "It was 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, fought back and put us under pressure. Then we'd fight back for a little bit and they'd fight back but 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.

"They had a wilting bowling attack. But they kept coming and things can happen so quickly. Two quick wickets put the momentum back in their favour and we never really recovered."

Mason admitted their inability to build a bigger lead in the first innings ultimately cost second-from-bottom Worcestershire.

He said: "We all recognised afterwards that was probably the turning point. We had a chance to go on and maybe make 400 to 450, which would have put a completely different complexion on the game.

"But, as has happened a few times this year, we just failed to do that and to keep the opposition on the floor but that's part of the 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 lie down. Maybe we need to become more tough in those situations ourselves and keep the opposition down."

Mason continued: "We've got to pick the players up quickly because we've got a T20 game here tonight (at Trent Bridge) and start against Hampshire on Monday. It just keeps coming so you can't dwell for too long.

"We've got to try to pick the lads up and keep building their confidence. They know they haven't had the best of games.

"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.

"Tom (Fell) looked terrific in both innings. Richard Oliver was unlucky not to get his 100 and there was Mitch's fighting innings. Plus there was Jack (Shantry) and Joe Leach running in with the ball like they did. There was some really positive stuff."

On batsman Gidman, Mason added: "He is fine. He was still a little bit groggy when he did a bit of physical activity. It was a nasty knock but he'll be fine, I would hope, for the Hampshire game."