LANCASHIRE manager Mike Watkinson has saluted John Wood and Gary Keedy, the bowlers who have kept their Championship challenge alive.

Rather than the new ball pair of Peter Martin and Glen Chapple, Wood and Keedy were the unlikely bowling heroes of the innings win against Sussex at Old Trafford - which means they take on Notts at Trent Bridge today with an outside chance of the title.

Keedy took five wickets in each innings to complete the first 10-wicket match haul of his career, and take his tally for the season to 59 - easily his best ever, and even more impressive as he has only played in 11 of Lancashire's 15 Championship matches.

But it was Wood who made the crucial breakthrough in each innings, with three wickets in nine balls to send Sussex tumbling towards the follow-on, and then firing out Chris Adams and Tim Ambrose in quick succession on the last day.

The former Durham seamer has taken plenty of stick from Lancashire members in the past, and his regular selection this year ahead of local youngsters like Kyle Hogg has done nothing to increase his popularity.

But he has more than justified his place in the team with a series of wholehearted performances - and Watkinson believes that Wood has even won over the sceptical Lancashire fans.

"It was particularly nice that he did so well in the Sussex game at Old Trafford," said the manager.

"In the past we've had a few letters asking us why we keep picking Woody but by the second innings he was getting a nice warm reception from the members.

"Woody's never going to be the sort of bowler who gets five or six wickets every innings. He's more the sort that bowls uphill into the wind.

"He was our insurance policy this season but he's done everything we've asked of him and I'm delighted for him."

Wood has been rewarded with his Lancashire cap after three seasons with the club, and now seems likely to be given a new contract when his three-year deal expires at the end of this year.