Crowe's career best leaves Hampshire in the bird.

Carl Crowe took a career best 4 for 55, and coupled with Vince Wells 4 for 54 it led Leicestershire to an unexpected victory after Hampshire had directed much of the play in the morning session.

The early days luck soon deserted the home side, as they lost by 61 runs by 3:20 to stay bottom of the PPP healthcare County Championship Division I.

Requiring 120 for victory after lunch, Hampshire soon lost the disappointing Laney who took a leading edge to offer up a return catch to Crowe. The prime wicket of Robin Smith fell soon after; when with an attempted drive at the off-spinner was caught at the second attempt. Adi Aymes who had led the way in Hampshire's first innings battled out 55 minutes for 6. He was seventh out at 190, and the worm had turned against the home side.

Dimitri Mascarenhas offered up some lusty blows, but his partners all fell, Stephenson edged Wells to the wicket-keeper, Udal was lbw to the same bowler playing back, and Alan Mullally proved why he is number eleven, with a second ball drive that was gobbled up by Ian Sutcliffe, to the glee of the Leicestershire side.

This defeat was not the preparation Hampshire required before their biggest game of the season again Warwickshire in the Nat-West Semi-Final on Saturday. Robin Smith will have to pick up his teams morale, as they travel to Birmingham by coach.