After winning the toss, Derbyshire elected to field and it looked like the right call when they reduced the hosts to 78-5.
Lewis Goldsworthy (48) steadied the ship, but it was only when Cox put on 58 in the final four overs with Ben Mike (11 not out) that the Foxes reached a competitive score, the wicket-keeper hitting four fours and four sixes in his knock.
The visitors’ innings got off to a flyer in terms of the run rate, but three wickets kept the Foxes well in the game.
Yet Patel put on 80 with fellow veteran Wayne Madsen (46), and then had the nous to see the game through despite the loss of a couple more wickets.