THE points were in the bag for Derbyshire as soon as left-armer Kevin Dean had captured three wickets in his first two overs at Horsham, including the crucial scalp of Michael Bevan, bowled first ball.

Since Chris Adams had already cried off injured, his exposure to the hard school of international cricket leaving him with a broken finger and hamstring twinge, the Sussex cause was near hopeless.

Adams, who had equated his final days at Derbyshire to serving a prison sentence, was also spared the embarrassment of facing his former colleagues.

A slow pitch made bold strokeplay a precarious business and Sussex were kept in check by spinners Glenn Roberts and Kim Barnett. Only Keith Newell got into his stride in a resourceful innings of 42.

Michael Slater made 66 as Derbyshire won with almost three overs to spare.