HAMPSHIRE slipped back into the relegation zone of the top flight of the county championship after a crushing innings defeat at the hands of league leaders Surrey at The Oval.

The visitors arrived minus injured strike bowlers Alan Mullally and Chris Tremlett, along with batsman John Crawley who was on Test duty.

However, Surrey showed no mercy, recording an innings and 60-run victory after just 25 minutes of the final day of the contest.

On Thursday, Hampshire skipper Robin Smith elected to bat. However, that decision soon backfired as Nic Pothas top scored with 58 and the visitors were bowled out for 190.

Saqlain Mushtaq was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-59, while Ian Salisbury recorded 3-44.

Surrey’s reply started on the second day with openers Ian Ward (87) and debut boy Scott Newman (99) taking the home side past Hampshire’s total with an opening stand of 198.

From this, the total just grew and grew as Ali Brown hit 135 and Jonathan Batty 89 as the scoreboard finally stopped on 576.

By the end of the third day, Hampshire were staring defeat in the face on 303-8 and still needed 83 to make Surrey bat again.

However, just 31 runs were added on the final day as Dimitri Mascarenhas top scored with 94.

Once again, Saqlain Mushtaq (6-121) and Sailsbury (3-104) did the damage.

The two bonus points which Hampshire picked up did little to help their cause – and they still have to meet Surrey again, at the Rose Bowl next month.