North Division leaders Lancashire were beaten for the first time in this season's Twenty20 Cup after Leicestershire ran out winners by eight runs at Liverpool.

Having won the toss but set a moderate target of 146, the Foxes bowled out their hosts for 138 with one ball to spare, Iain O'Brien taking five wickets for just 23 runs.

One of those was Andrew Flintoff, whose recent good form with the bat was brought to a halt when he became O'Brien's second victim with just five runs to his name. Flintoff was also unable to take a wicket in four overs, Stephen Parry and skipper Glen Chapple taking two apiece as Leicestershire made their 146 for five with Jim Allenby top-scoring on 69.

On the day his omission from England's Ashes training camp was announced, Michael Vaughan was another who failed to make much of an impression at the crease as Nottinghamshire scored a surprise victory over his Yorkshire side at Trent Bridge.

It was Samit Patel - another England reject - who bowled Vaughan lbw for just 10 runs, and although Andrew Gale hit 76, the White Rose county fell just short of their target, closing on 154 for eight to give Nottinghamshire an 11-run victory.

In the South Division, Kent's 182 for four proved just enough to see Hampshire off by eight runs. The Spitfires racked up their commanding-looking total after winning the toss thanks largely to half-centuries from skipper Rob Key (58), back from England's World Twenty20 squad, and Darren Stevens (56).

In the Midlands/Wales/West division, struggling Gloucestershire were bowled out for 141 at Bristol before Warwickshire wrapped up a seven-wicket victory.

Leaders Sussex put in a dominant display at Hove to dismiss Surrey for 123 on the way to a comfortable six-wicket victory. Luke Wright then hit 31 and Murray Goodwin 38 as the Sharks cantered to 125 for four in 16.5 overs.

Middlesex's dismal run in this year's competition continued as they were bowled out for 148 by Essex at Chelmsford.

Having opted to bat first, the 2008 champions - without a single win in the tournament this time out - lost two wickets for just eight runs early on and Mark Pettini's unbeaten 80 all but saw Essex home.