Alex Gidman and Jack Russell celebrate another wicket Photos from Bristol

Gloucestershire weathered a gutsy fightback from underdogs Derbyshire to book their place in the final of the C&G Trophy.

But it needed the calm head of James Averis to clinch his side a trip to Lord's, where they will play the winners of Saturday's semi-final between Lancashire and Worcestershire.

With just one wicket left and two runs still required, the Gloucestershire seamer bided his time before smashing a boundary off a Graeme Welch full toss.

Thursday's triumph earned Mark Alleyne's side their sixth visit to Lord's in just five seasons and enhances their reputation as one of the country's top one-day sides.

Gloucestershire began well despite losing the toss and being asked to field.

Left-arm seamer Mike Smith removed both Derbyshire openers in consecutive overs before a stunning catch by wicket-keeper Jack Russell off Alex Gidman dismissed Chris Bassano for 10 to leave the visitors on 59-3.

Quiz: Win tickets to the final

Mohammad Kaif added 74 with Dominic Hewson before the innings turned again on a needless run-out.

With Hewson ambling back for a second run, Averis' throw from deep hit the stumps directly and left the all-rounder short of his ground by two feet.

Mohammad Kaif was easily Derbyshire's top scorer

Another wicket fell to a run-out following another dreadful mix-up before Derbyshire captain Dominic Cork gave off-spinner Martyn Ball an easy return catch.

Kaif pressed on, smashing a windscreen in the car-park with one huge six off Ball.

But the bowler had his revenge when an attempted repeat went straight to long-on.

Gloucestershire's reply began well, but Welch and Kevin Dean then took two wickets apiece as 48-0 became 78-4.

Shoaib Malik and the impressive Gidman (41) responded to the pressure by adding a composed 56.

Alleyne (27) then teamed up to good effect with Malik before the Gloucestershire skipper threw his wicket away with just 27 wanted.

After Russell was dimissed for a duck, the home side looked in trouble when Malik, attempting to end matters with a big six, was caught in the deep.

And when Ball was brilliantly snapped up at gully by Michael di Venuto off the bowling of Cork, Derbyshire looked set for a memorable win.

But then Welch served up a full toss on the leg side, which Averis clipped to the boundary.

Gloucestershire: C M Spearman, W P C Weston, J N Rhodes, A P R Gidman, M G N Windows, Shoaib Malik, R C Russell (Wkt), M W Alleyne (Capt), M C J Ball, J M M Averis, A M Smith.

Derbyshire: M J Di Venuto, S A Selwood, C W G Bassano, M Kaif, D R Hewson, L D Sutton (Wkt), D G Cork (Capt), G Welch, N R C Dumelow, K J Dean, L J Wharton.