HAMPSHIRE need to win their last two T20 group matches to reach a seventh successive quarter-final – after losing to a Gloucestershire side inspired by newly-wed Benny Howell.

James Vince’s side was bowled out for just 116 - their lowest score of the season – before losing by five wickets at Cheltenham College.

Former Hampshire all-rounder Howell starred with bat and ball the day after getting married.

He took 2-15 from his four overs - the most economical spell of his T20 career- before his unbeaten 31 (33 balls) guided Gloucestershire to victory with eight balls to spare.

Hampshire now have must-win games against Sussex at Hove on Friday night and Somerset at The Ageas Bowl next Thursday to after dropping out of the South Division’s top four.

Both sides struggled to score freely on a slow wicket at Cheltenham, where Hampshire have not won a limited-overs match since 1978.

This was only the seventh T20 match Gloucestershire have played on the outground, two of which have seen sides skittled for less than 100.

Michael Carberry (12) produced one of the few highlights when he dented the laptop of BBC Radio Solent commentator Kevan James by landing a six over square leg and on to the pavilion balcony.

But he became the first victim for the impressive young fast bowler Craig Miles (3-25) next ball.

Hampshire reached 38-1 at the end of the powerplay but then lost Vince for a 29-ball 32, caught at long-on by a diving Ian Cockbain, and Adam Wheater (10) as Howell completed a two-wicket maiden.

Joe Gatting’s run-a-ball 22 included a six over mid-wicket at the end of Howell’s next over but Will Smith (18) was the only other Hampshire batsman to reach double figures.

Hampshire lost their last three wickets in their final over, but they began the Gloucestershire reply well.

The home side were 39-3 at the end of the six-over powerplay (Hampshire were 38-1 at the same stage) Jackson Bird (1-22) trapped Michael Klinger lbw for a three ball duck, an excellent throw from T20 debutant Sean Terry ran out Cockbain and Gatting held on at mid-wicket to give Wood (1-24) the wicket of Dent.

When Danny Briggs (1-23) bowled Australia A batsman Peter Handscomb behind his legs, Gloucestershire were 44-4, still needing 73 off 73 balls.

But Howell and former England star Geraint Jones put on 56 from the next 50 deliveries to take Gloucestershire to the brink of victory.

Jones was bowled by Vince for a 30-ball 40 immediately after hitting the Hampshire captain for his second six.

But Howell’s luck was in. As rain fell, he was dropped by a diving Gatting at mid-on on 22.

And then Wood dropped Koema Barnett at short extra cover in the same Vince over.

With that went any hope of a Hampshire win. Howell drilled his only six over square-leg against Wood, his former academy teammate, to take Gloucestershire to within two runs of victory, before hitting Arafat for the winning run.