The loss leaves the Birdham-based team probably needing to win all their final three games – which is the total number of victories they have managed all season.

They hosted an Eastbourne side with only two of their five pros in a game they will have felt they needed a result from to boost their flagging survival hopes.

Click here for all the latest Sussex League tables and results

Stirlands got off to a good start by winning the toss and electing to bat.

Openers Daniel Cox and Sean Heather started well against some accurate bowling from Rageb Aga and managed to get to 21 before Heather was caught behind down the leg side off his glove.

Cox soon followed when he nibbled at a wide one.

Stirlands were soon 38 for four with Aga taking three of the four wickets.

Nick Hunt and Nathan Ball went about rebuilding the innings and put on a very good stand of 64 before Hunt (33) played what by his own admission was an unnecessary shot and he was caught off the bowling of Tom Smith.

Ball (42) continued to score before he mis-hit a lose ball down deep square leg's throat.

Stirlands continued to lose wickets with very little resistance and finished on a disappointing 147 all out.

Stirlands started very well with Ball and Anthony Ender bowling with pace and accuracy to limit Eastbourne to 29 for four – with both their professionals back in the pavilion.

Cox followed on from Ender and got a wicket straight away and at 75 for six, it looked as though Stirlands could get the result they so badly required.

But as has happened on many occasions this year, Stirlands faded and the Eastbourne pair of Martyn Garnett and Luke Tomsett managed to put on a match-winning partnership of 76, with Garnett scoring 60 not out.

Stirlands lost by four wickets and although there were positives they could take from the game, the same lack of consistency and determination with the bat meant they simply did not post a match-winning score.

Stirlands have three games left and will now be playing for pride unless results can go their way in an extreme fashion.

This Saturday, they go to Cuckfield knowing that defeat will seal their fate but that victory will keep their survival hopes alive at least for another week.