Chris Boroughs (middle) was left to rue a disappointing first innings

Herefordshire captain Chris Boroughs admitted his side's eight-wicket defeat by Shropshire was largely down to a poor first-innings batting performance.

Herefordshire were bowled out for only 134 in their Minor Counties Championship clash.

"If we had shown the same discipline that we did in the second innings, then we could have got closer to 250 or 300.

"It would've been a much more difficult target for them to chase," Boroughs told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Shropshire responded to that Herefordshire first-innings score by posting 232, with skipper James Ralph making 74.

Boroughs led from the front for Herefordshire as he claimed 5-51, including his first-ever hat-trick.

Herefordshire knew they had to bat better in their second innings and they responded well in making 256, Henry Langford top-scoring with 60.

We've played some good cricket and we've been a bit unlucky in the one-dayers in losing by 12 runs and five runs Herefordshire skipper Chris Boroughs

This set the home side a target of only 159 for victory, but Herefordshire struck early to remove the dangerous John Maunders to leave Shropshire on 3-1 overnight going into the final day's play.

Any hopes of what would have been a famous Herefordshire win were to disappear early on the third day, and Boroughs said they only had themselves to blame.

"We dropped three catches - two in the same over - and that could have changed things drastically.

"We saw in the first innings how when you take one or two wickets, they can then fall in clusters."

Shropshire eased to 160-2 in which Jono Whitney made the most of playing on his home club pitch at Shifnal by making an unbeaten 94, while he was well supported by Attiq-Ur-Rehman, who made 55.

In acknowledging that it has been a disappointing start to the season in both the one-day game and the Championship, Boroughs said there have been bright spots.

"We've played some good cricket and we've been a bit unlucky in the one-dayers in losing by 12 runs and five runs, although we had a good win against Wiltshire.

"But we need to start winning games to give those players who have been with us for the last couple of years more confidence, so that when we do get into those tight situations we are the ones who come out on top."