HAMISH MARSHALL insists Gloucestershire's young players will be stronger for the experience after losing by two wickets to promotion-chasing Yorkshire in an exciting finish at Scarborough.
After two days of rain in the County Championship clash, Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale declared on 61-2 and then bowled himself and Adam Lyth in scenes reminiscent of those in the previous meeting between the sides at Bristol earlier this year in a bid to force a result.
Gloucestershire racked up 159-0 in just ten overs with Benny Howell smashing an unbeaten 83 and Rob Nicol hitting 75 not out to set Yorkshire a target of 314, which they reached with two overs and two wickets to spare.
That left Gloucestershire bottom of Division Two with just two games remaining, but Marshall, who captained the sides with Alex Gidman missing out due to personal reasons, had no regrets about his decision to declare.
He said: "We wanted a decent last day's cricket and it is never enjoyable just playing out for a draw.
"In the end we came out just on the wrong side of a great game. It was more good experience for our young players."
One youngster who shone for Gloucestershire was 20-year-old all-rounder Jack Taylor, who bowled well for figures of 2-38 after top-scoring with 49 in Gloucestershire's first innings total of 215.
However, Phil Jacques hit 79 before Anthony McGrath's 76 not out led Yorkshire home.
Gloucestershire face Northants in their final home County Championship game at Bristol, starting on Tuesday (10.30am).