Middlesex struggled to 73-4 as bad weather restricted Gloucestershire to just 33.5 overs at Bristol.

A wet outfield delayed the start of play until 1600 BST when Middlesex were put in to bat in overcast conditions.

Home captain Jon Lewis dismissed opener Billy Godleman for a duck and Ed Joyce for 13 while Steve Kirby had Dawid Malan caught for eight.

Owais Shah (15) then fell to Anthony Ireland, while Eoin Morgan (23) and Ben Scott (6) were unbeaten at stumps.

Middlesex were immediately on the back foot after the protracted delay to the first day, when Godleman was trapped leg before by Lewis to the second ball of the fifth over.

The visitors' problems were exacerbated further when Shah was forced to retire hurt with a knee problem, while Malan edged a catch to Will Porterfield at first slip to leave them reeling at 18-2.

Shah returned to the crease after Joyce had become Lewis's second lbw victim, but soon edged a short delivery outside off stump from Ireland to wicketkeeper Steve Snell.

But play was once again at the mercy of the weather conditions as bad light ended play with another 4.1 overs remaining in the day.