Northants retained their 100% record in the Midlands/Wales/West group with a ten-run Twenty20 Cup win over struggling Gloucestershire at Bristol.

The Steelbacks posted 162 all out off 19.5 overs after winning the toss, with Gladiators old boy Ian Harvey top-scoring with 48 off 38 balls, with 4 fours and a six. Jon Lewis took four for 37 and Steve Kirby three for 29.

Hamish Marshall gave Gloucestershire a fast start in reply with 42 off 28 balls and skipper Alex Gidman hit 40. But, having raced to 63 without loss off just five overs, the home side self-destructed.

From 119 for two, they collapsed to 152-7 against some tight bowling from Andrew Hall, who took one for 8 from three overs, and David Willey (two for 15).

Monty Panesar did his bit with four overs for 24 as the Gladiators lost their way, only the top three batsmen reaching double figures. Grant Hodnett made 30 off 21 balls, but his efforts along with those of Marshall and Gidman went to waste.

Earlier, Harvey had received a warm welcome from the home supporters, having been an integral part of the Gloucestershire team who won five one-day trophies in 1999 and 2000.

He was given a life on ten when Lewis spilled a straightforward chance at mid-on off Gemaal Hussain.

It proved an expensive miss as Harvey and Rob White went on to an opening partnership of 54 in seven overs before the latter was bowled by a slower ball from Kirby for 28.

Kirby's next ball accounted for Steven Crook and Andrew Hall fell cheaply to Gidman. But Harvey prospered and looked set for a half-century on his old stamping ground when brilliantly caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Vikram Banerjee above his head off a fierce drive.

Northants were 96 for four in the 13th over. Riki Wessells and Mark Nelson took the total to 141 before both fell in a remarkable 17th over sent down by Lewis.

It began with Wessels hitting a six over long-on, then Nelson followed suit with a straight blow over the ropes. The next ball saw him hole out to deep mid-wicket and the one after that bowled Wessels after the batsmen had crossed.

Wessels had hit 3 fours and 2 sixes in his 20-ball innings.