David Lucas ripped through Gloucestershire's top order for the second time in the match to claim a career-best seven for 24 as Northamptonshire pulled off a crushing nine-wicket win at Cheltenham.

The visitors wrapped up victory by 5.30pm on a rain-interrupted third day, which was remarkable considering the second day was completely washed out.

After Northants had taken their first innings total to 232 all out, Nicky Boje finishing unbeaten on 87, Gloucestershire found the left-arm swing of Lucas virtually unplayable and were skittled for 142. Lucas had match figures of 12 for 73.

That left their opponents with a victory target of just 58 and openers Stephen Peters and Ben Howgego produced a stand of 49 before Peters fell for 25.

Northants took 18 points to Gloucestershire's three. It was a third successive Championship defeat for the hosts, who have now one only one of their last 20 Championship fixtures at the Cheltenham Festival.

The day began with Northants 175 for six and leading by 28 runs. It seemed Gloucestershire were still in the game when only 57 were added, Steve Kirby taking two of the wickets for figures of four for 75.

Boje's innings proved crucial. Unbeaten on 57 overnight, the skipper ended up facing 153 balls and hitting 11 boundaries.

Lucas had dismissed the top five Gloucestershire in the first innings and repeated the feat in his first seven overs second time around. He had Will Porterfield caught in the slips, bowled Kadeer Ali and gained lbw decisions against Hamish Marshall, Alex Gidman and Chris Taylor.

A couple of heavy showers interrupted Northants' progress after Gloucestershire had slumped to 34 for six, Andrew Hall chipping in with the wicket of Steve Snell, who bagged a pair.

James Franklin hit 26 before tamely lifting David Wigley to short cover and Richard Dawson took his side to three figures with eight fours in a fighting 44 before being bowled by a full length ball from Johannes van der Wath.

Lucas returned to clean up Kirby and Anthony Ireland, leaving Jon Lewis 29 not out in another sorry Gloucestershire batting display.

It was an outstanding effort from Lucas, bowling from the College Lawn End. He reaped the reward of bowling full and straight to eclipse his previous best figures of five for 30, also against Gloucestershire at Northampton last season.

Faced with such a small victory target, Peters and Howgego played positively and Gloucestershire were soon forced to introduce off-spinners Dawson and Taylor to claw back a slow over-rate.

Taylor took the wicket as Peters was caught behind down the leg side. Howgego finished unbeaten on 28.