JORDAN Thompson says Yorkshire are refusing to panic, but he knows they can’t afford too many more slip ups if they are to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast.

Thompson impressed with 3-23 from three overs of seamers in last night’s defeat against Derbyshire - their second in three days and their fourth in eight North Group games in all.

The Vikings, however, get an immediate chance to bounce back when Leicestershire Foxes visit Emerald Headingley tonight (6.30) as they bid to keep pace in an incredibly competitive group.

Yorkshire lost by 77 runs against the Falcons after being set a target of 180 in 17 overs.

Earlier, Thompson struck twice in an over on the way to his three-for on home debut.

The 21-year-old all-rounder came in for his second first-team appearance, having played in the televised win at Worcestershire earlier this month, also taking a wicket and scoring a late and important 12.

“For me, a positive’s come out of it, but I’d rather take a win than three wickets,” he said, first of all reflecting on the Derby defeat.

“We said in the dressing room that we were below par with the ball and bat.

“It’s disappointing, two defeats in two, but we’ll look to bounce back (against Leicester).

“We’ve got to put this to bed and face a Leicester team who we really need to beat to get back on track.

“It’s not panic stations yet. We’ve done some good things so far in this competition, and we’ll look to move on and perform well.

“Leicester are dangerous, as Derby have been. They seem to do well in the T20.”

The Leeds-born Academy graduate, who plays his league cricket for Pudsey St Lawrence in the All Rounder Cricket Bradford League, went on: “I picked up three wickets and bowled reasonably well, although I bowled a couple of loose balls in my first two overs.

“But, as I said, I’d rather have got the win. You want to be doing well individually, but you also want to be getting to Finals Day and winning this competition.”

Thompson was one of two changes to Yorkshire’s team last night as he and Harry Brook replaced England duo Adil Rashid (Test duty) and Liam Plunkett (injured).

It came just over a fortnight after his debut at New Road.

He recalled: “It was a good start at Worcester with the win.

“It was a surprise call and came out of nowhere. I found out probably an hour before the game, but I went out there and took it in my stride.

“I had the attitude of trying to just do what I’d done in the seconds and continue the form.

“It’s important to do that and treat it as just another game of cricket. The Worcester game was on TV and it was my first first-team cricket, but it’s just another game. You have to block everything else out.”

Yorkshire now sit sixth in the table with four wins and four losses from eight, although they are likely to return to the top-four quarter-final qualifying places if they beat the Foxes.

Leicester have won three and lost four of their seven games so far and have Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas and Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi as their two overseas players.

They lost last time out against Derbyshire on Friday.