TWENTY20 finals day started in fine style in Birmingham this morning - unless you are a Lancashire fan that is.

Confidence within the red rose county's camp was wilting even before their semi-final with Gloucestershire got underway as they lost influential batsman Mal Loye in the warm-ups.

The Edgbaston ground was still way short of its expected 21,000 capacity when Loye, the former Northamptonshire and England right-hander, pulled up with back spasms and was forced to miss his side's clash with the Gladiators.

With Kent's game not due to start until 3pm, the players took their opportunity to have a lie in and a leisurely breakfast at the nearby Copthorne Hotel, and only started to arrive at the ground at 1pm for net sessions and warm ups in the indoor school.

By then, Lancashire were heading out of the event having underachieved with the bat and the ball in a low key performance to lose their eighth league and cup semi-final in as many years.

They were restricted to a 20-over total of 148 for six with a modest top-score of 33 in 29 balls from Steve Croft after their star acts Stuart Law (8) and Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff (3) shuffled off with stage fright.

In bright sunshine, there was little to warm the Lancashire fans as their experienced side mustered just one six in their innings against a tight Gladiators' attack led by the excellent Mark Hardinges, who took two for 16 in his four overs.

Meanwhile, three coach-loads of Kent fans arrived in time to take their seats to witness Gloucestershir's superb reply.

Though Flintoff took a wicket with only his fifth ball, he had Hamish Marshall caught at backward point, it proved a false dawn for the Lightning.

Kiwi opener Craig Spearman led from the front with an excellent 35-ball half-century and, in tandem with Kadeer Ali set about snatching the game from Lancashire's grasp with a century stand in 67 balls.

As Gloucestershire cantered home toward their eight-wicket victory even 'Lancy' - Lancashire's mascot giraffe - was begining to look pretty lame.

So, should Kent beat Sussex in their semi-final, they are set for a floodlight fight against the Gladiators in the final on Saturday evening - it will be the first time the sides have met in the competition.