Sussex remain rooted to the bottom of the Second Division after their National League campaign plumbed new depths.

The county cricket side faced their fifth defeat in seven games against Hampshire at West End yesterday.

Inspired by Billy Taylor's competition-best 4-22, they had done well to bowl out Hampshire for 203, but a paltry total of 110 from 34.2 overs on a perfectly good pitch represented a new low in what is turning out to be an awful League season.

Will House, promoted to open in an effort to provide some early impetus to the innings, instead gave 20-year-old debutant left-armer James Tomlinson a wicket with his second ball and Sussex were soon struggling at 15-3 after eight overs.

While Chris Adams and Murray Goodwin were compiling a stand of 51, allbeit in 16, overs, there was still hope.

Goodwin fell to a superb diving catch by his former Zimbabwean team-mate Neil Johnson at mid-wicket in the 24th over and when Adams gave off-spinner Shaun Udal a return catch three overs later the contest was as good as over.

In seven games this season only Matt Prior and Robin Martin-Jenkin have scored half-centuries. Sussex's shortcomings are obvious and the management will surely shake things up after this latest debacle.

Tony Cottey and Bas Zuiderent, who both made good runs in the second XI one-day competition last week, are likely to get their chance next week when Hove stages its first League game on a Sunday for more than three years.

The one consolation for coach Peter Moores was another decent bowling performance, particularly from Taylor who will have enjoyed proving another point to the county who rejected him as a teenager. He raised his tally of one-day wickets this season to 27 on a pitch giving the seamers some help.

Sussex needed his control of line and length after Robin Martin-Jenkins and Jason Lewry conceded 58 between them in the first ten overs.

Taylor parted the openers after a stand of 78 in 17 overs when Derek Kenway sliced a drive to extra cover while Innes claimed the important wicket of John Crawley who was caught behind chasing a wide one.

Taylor struck again when Laurence Prittipaul mis-timed a lofted drive and Hampshire lost their fourth wicket for 26 in nine overs when Goodwin took an outstanding catch, having made good ground at backward point to intercept Giles White's ambitious drive.

Kevin Innes was not flattered by figures of 2-30 from nine overs. Perhaps now, having quickly established himself in the League team, Sussex will find him a shirt with his name on it.

Johnson, however, seldom looked troubled and the Zimbabwean all-rounder found a reliable partner in Nic Pothas. The pair took few risks as they added 52 in 11 overs for the fifth wicket.

Johnson was cruising towards his hundred when Adams made what turned out to be an inspired bowling change. House was introduced in the 37th over and with his third ball he tempted Johnson into his first mistake, a top-edged pull which was caught on the run at extra cover by Montgomerie. Johnson's 92 was made off 110 balls with 11 fours.

As it turned out he nearly scored enough to beat Sussex on his own.

For the first time this season the Sharks had to chase a target, but it made no difference. House, surprised perhaps by Tomlinson's waspish pace, got under an attempted pull and Tim Ambrose was caught behind cutting at Mascarenhas in the third over.

When Montgomerie gave Tomlinson a second wicket with a loose drive, Sussex were in the mire again.

Adams and Goodwin were so tied down by Hampshire's disciplined seam bowling that they scored their runs off 74 and 54 balls respectively and it was no surprise that when they tried to force the pace they perished. An ignominious procession of Sussex wickets followed, the last five falling for 24 in eight overs.