Matthew Boyce had no doubts about how yesterday's NatWest Pro40 game against Surrey Brown Caps slipped away from Leicestershire Foxes.

The young stand-in skipper must have felt his side were in the pound seats when his quick thinking and accurate throw ran out Chris Schofield to leave the Brown Caps reeling on 98-5 chasing 226.

But a stand of 126 for the sixth wicket between Matthew Spriegel and Tom Smith thwarted the Foxes.

"Those two played very good cricket," said Boyce, who has stepped in to the captaincy role vacated by Boeta Dippenaar. "But the issue we had was that we did not get them behind the run rate. We never got it to seven an over or beyond.

"Had we done that, it might have brought more wickets. But at 98-5 we had our moment to win the game and we didn't clutch it with both hands. That is where you learn – a good side would have closed out that game but we failed to put concerted pressure on them."

Boyce's two games in charge have both ended in defeat, first in the Championship against Northamptonshire and then yesterday. However, the left-hander still emerged with credit for the way he has conducted himself in what was always going to be a demanding task at the end of a difficult season for the developing County side.

"Being captain has been an honour for me and an experience I have cherished. I've enjoyed the experience and hopefully it will stand me in good stead," said Boyce.

"When we had Northants 40-4 on Wednesday it was an easy game!" he smiled "The reality is, though, that we are an inexperienced side and in the last two games we haven't grasped our chances."