Opener Richard Montgomerie was the rock of his side's comfortable seven-wicket win after Derbyshire had failed to make the most of a strong position.

Montgomerie was involved in half-century stands with Tim Ambrose, skipper Chris Adams and Murray Goodwin before falling to Tom Lungley just four short of his century.

His stylish knock, off 116 balls and including 11 fours, frustrated the home county, who will finish bottom of both domestic leagues unless they conjure a strong end to the season.

Sussex, who won with four overs to spare, are unlikely to finish any better than mid-table, but former Derbyshire star Adams was certainly in no mood for charity.

His tidy spell of seven overs for 27 kept his old side in check and he later looked disgusted when given out caught behind off spinner Liam Wharton.

A career best one-day innings of 96 not out by opener Steve Stubbings had provided the backbone of Derbyshire's ultimately disappointing total of 206-3.

The Scorpions ran out of steam after a partnership of 106 between Stubbings and Chris Bassano as the necessary cavalry charge never materialised in the last 10 overs.

Derbyshire had struggled to build up a head of steam, taking 18 overs to pass 50, but Stubbings and Bassano gradually began to increase the tempo.

Stubbings, who comfortably beat his previous highest one-day score of 60, brought up their 100 partnership made at almost a run a ball with a towering six off spinner Mark Davis.

But Davis soon had Bassano stumped for 40 and Scorpions, with Rob Bailey only slowly into his stride and Stubbings drying up, fell 30 runs short of a competitive total.

© CricInfo