GLOUCESTERSHIRE seamer Jon Lewis ensured Lancashire came up short in the totesport League Division One clash at Old Trafford.

Lewis took four for 30 - including three wickets in six balls - to help bowl the hosts out for 219, 18 runs short of Gloucestershire's total.

Gloucestershire opener Craig Spearman produced a blistering 89 off only 66 balls to help his side post a fine total which proved just out of reach of Lancashire, despite the efforts of Mal Loye (65).

At one stage in their run chase against Gloucestershire it looked like Lancashire might end their winless run. But once again they subsided at the crucial moment and lost by 18 runs.

The frustration was clear to see on the face of skipper Warren Hegg both in the field and when given out to a close stumping decisions as he was seeing his side close to their target.

Coach Mike Watkinson wants the fans to know everyone is trying to turn things around.

"The players tried very hard today and the pain a disappointed of not winning is clear on every player," said the Lancashire team manager.

"They feel sorry they haven't won and are determined to keep battling hard to turn the corner."

It doesn't seem to matter how long the game is - 20 overs, 45 overs or four days - Lancashire just can't get over the winning line.

Loye made a well crafted 65 and Dominic Cork a defiant 37 from 26 balls as they got close to Gloucestershire's 237 for nine.

However, Loye was caught at long-off and Cork was the last man out as the Red Rose tail fell away in the face of some superb bowling by Lewis.

It is no disgrace losing to Gloucestershire, they have been the best one-side in England over the last five years, but once again the home side's lack of confidence was clear to see.

Their fielding had been well below par. Three catches went down and they weren't difficult while two run out chances were missed.

An impressive spell of left-arm spin from Gary Keedy helped to pull Lancashire back into the match but there was always the sense that they had forgotten how to win.

That is now four losses in four games in the Totesport League and they are getting dragged closer to the bottom three and the prospect of a relegation battle for the rest of the season.