WAYNE Madsen's celebrations were muted despite a century of tremendous character for Derbyshire yesterday at Queen's Park.
It could not save Derbyshire from defeat by an innings and 113 runs by Yorkshire, who now go back to the top of Division One while Madsen's side is rooted to the bottom.
The captain was the last man out for a valiant 141 but said: "It was bitter-sweet because obviously on a personal level it's good to get a century but it sort of doesn't feel right because it's in a lost cause.
"It's been a disappointing couple of days.
"Yorkshire have outplayed us for three days. Their bowlers bowled with discipline and energy and made life difficult for us.
"They are rightly top of the league and have played good cricket against us both times. They definitely have that ability to win the league this year. Dizzy (Jason Gillespie) has got them playing a brand of cricket with energy and they come at you all the time.
"They reminded me of how we went about our business last year – the attitude and the belief they have in the squad. That's exactly what we had last year but we are nowhere near that this year."
Derbyshire scored 410 runs in the day's play but at a cost of 15 wickets and Madsen found some comfort in the fact that they did not go down tamely after getting themselves so deep in trouble on the first two days.
"We wanted to show character, fight hard and make it difficult for them, hopefully taking it to the fourth day," he added.
"We wanted to be positive as well in the morning session, which showed, and there was that difference today.
"We were sitting ducks in the first innings, waiting to get out almost, but we wanted to be positive and scored more than 400 runs in the day, which is an improvement in how we have been playing. That is all we can ask for.
"Some guys weren't able to get going but the way we went about our business was better."
The early finish did give Derbyshire a day to prepare for their return to the Friends Life t20 tomorrow, with a North Group match against Durham at Chesterfield (2.30pm) they cannot afford to lose.
"I feel this game is the important one to win and then if we can get a couple of wins in the last three, we will have a chance but this one is quite key," said Madsen.
"It will be nice to get Albie Morkel back because his experience and energy in twenty20 is vital and hopefully we can show a little more composure in the batting this time."
