Injury-ravaged Worcestershire collected two of the eight points they need to guarantee promotion but were outplayed by Middlesex at Kidderminster.

The Division Two leaders were bowled out for 265 and then watched Andrew Strauss guide the visitors to 126-1.

The prolific Stephen Moore hit 111 from 139 balls but the other Worcestershire batsmen failed dismally, as Tim Murtagh excelled with 6-52 in 17 overs.

The hosts only gained their two batting points thanks to Chris Whelan's 58.

Worcestershire were really struggling at 180-8 following Moore's dismissal to Murtagh when Whelan stepped up.

And against his previous county, the number 10 batsman struck 58 off 79 balls - shattering a previous first-class best of 12.

It was an innings that showed up the significant failures of seven previous batsmen who between them had contributed just 62 runs.

Strauss, in one of his most fluent innings of the season, then stroked 66 not out from 67 balls as Middlesex began their reply smoothly.

Worcestershire's late season Sri Lankan call-up, Dilhara Fernando, sent down eight wicketless overs costing 47.