County Championship: Sam Robson hits ton for Middlesex but cannot prevent Warwickshire victory

Sam Robson is the only Middlesex player to have hit a century in the Championship this season

Sam Robson's tenacious unbeaten hundred proved to be in vain for Middlesex as they slid into the County Championship Division One relegation places after being beaten by Warwickshire at Lord's.

The Bears' sixth Championship win of the season will send Middlesex into the final round of fixtures, starting next Tuesday, trailing Kent by just a point.

Middlesex are away to Nottinghamshire, while Kent are at home to Lancashire.

Robson carried his bat for a near seven-hour 107 not out, the sixth and slowest ton scored against the Bears this season, as Middlesex were bowled out for 251 in their second innings.

Ryan Higgins provided support with 57, but Craig Miles (3-53) was backed up by a late burst from Oliver Hannon-Dalby, who also claimed three scalps to finished with match figures of 8-81 in passing 50 Championship wickets for a second successive season.

An afternoon downpour threatened to derail Warwickshire, leaving them with just 10 overs to chase 58, but Rob Yates and Ed Barnard guided their side home with nine balls to spare.

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After Middlesex began the day 98 in arrears, Jack Davies perished to a rash stroke, having failed to increase his overnight score when he swatted a loose delivery to backward square leg off Miles, who then accounted for Joe Cracknell with a miscued pull.

Higgins reached his half-century with a straight drive for four off Barnard, who responded by breaching Higgins' defence to hit his off stump - just as he had done in the first innings.

Danny Briggs then had John Simpson caught at short leg before Hannon-Dalby and Chris Rushworth took joint ownership of the new ball, picking up a wicket apiece to plunge Middlesex deeper into trouble at 234-7.

Tom Helm then dug in until half an hour after tea when he was undone by one that kept low from Hannon-Dalby, who also found Ethan Bamber's edge to end his dogged resistance.

With the sky darkening, Warwickshire had to revert to spin but the second ball of Briggs' first over was enough to fox Tim Murtagh - who registered a duck in his final innings at Lord's.

It left the Bears with 25 overs, but the heavens then opened to reduce their over allocation by 60 per cent when play resumed an hour later.

Having moved back up to open, Alex Davies found the grandstand for six off Murtagh, who then trapped him lbw.

A superb reaction by Simpson to stump Dan Mousley earned 42-year-old Murtagh his eighth wicket of the match (8-102) - and the last at Lord's of his Middlesex career.

But Barnard clubbed a six and an all-run four as Warwickshire avenged their three-day home defeat by Middlesex at Edgbaston in July.

The Bears, still looking to finish in the top three, complete their season with a home game against Somerset.

Middlesex fast bowler Tom Murtagh:

"We probably got what we deserved from the first innings, being nearly 200 behind. The weather ultimately couldn't come to our rescue.

"We've got to scrap to try and right the wrongs from this game and go up to Trent Bridge with belief we can get ourselves out of this hole.

"It is small margins. That's what Division One cricket is all about, having to be on it at all times. If you have a poor session you can end up losing the game and that's been the case a few times.

"Robbo showed the way. Once he got himself in it was hard to get him out. It was fantastic the way he fought and sad for him we didn't quite get the draw. He was a wonderful example to the young batters in our team."

Warwickshire first team coach Mark Robinson told BBC CWR:

"We've worked really hard over four days on a flat wicket. I thought the weather was going to catch us at the end, but we've come out on the right side of it.

"Sam Robson played really well for Middlesex, but we just kept getting the odd wicket when we needed it. It was about desire. At this time of year you're asking players to dig deep and they've been magnificent.

"It's been a good comeback game for Craig Miles to back up last week, with that little spell this morning when he bounced out a couple.

"Olly has been magnificent in all competitions this year. He leads us really well. He and Rushy are a really good combination."

Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network.