LANCASHIRE and Middlesex had to settle for a draw after rain arrived on the final day of their Championship clash at Old Trafford.

Only 25 minutes play was possible before the umpires took the players off and the game was abandoned just after two o'clock with both teams taking 10 points.

That leaves Lancashire second in the Championship table, behind Warwickshire who went top with their win over Worcestershire.

Even if rain hadn't intervened a result was unlikely after the first innings had taken nearly three days to complete. Middlesex were 129-2, a lead of 94, with Owais Shah unbeaten on 67.

A slow pitch and some negative bowling didn't help the scoring rate. When batsmen like Mal Loye struggles to get the ball away you know it's tough.

But skipper Warren Hegg was looking on the positive side: "Obviously we are disappointed that the match didnt go the fll four days but at least we came away with some bonus points.

"It was a good pitch, I would like to have seen how it developed over five days rather than four. It certainly wasn't down to us to chase the game. If anything Middlesex were the defensive team."

The early finish allowed the players to get in some extra gym work before catching their flight to Gatwick ahead of the C&G Trophy third round clash with Sussex at Hove today.

Andrew Flintoff is available for his first game this season and Red Rose fans would be advised to enjoy, it is likely to be rare sight with such a packed international schedule.

Meanwhile, Lancashire fans are in for a treat after the draw for the quarter-finals of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy threw up a Roses clash.

The game will be played on Wednesday June 16 at Old Trafford and is a boost for supporters of both sides who would otherwise have had the Twenty20 match in July as the only meeting between cricket's greatest rivals.

The two teams have not been the same division for championship or one-day cricket since 2002 so Roses matches are eagerly awaited.