IT was the same old story for Lancashire as they launched another bid to escape the second division of the National League with a dismal batting collapse.

Promotion to the top tier of the one-day competition is a top priority this season, but this was the worst possible start as they slumped to a 45-run defeat by Northamptonshire at Old Trafford.

Lightning seemed on course for victory when Mark Chilton and Iain Sutcliffe put on 63 at four an over for the first wicket in reply to a Northants total of 196 in a game reduced to 37 overs per side.

But Chilton was stumped off former Kent seamer Ben Phillips, Sutcliffe superbly caught on the boundary by Andre Nel, and Lancashire were unable to stop the slide.

The real hammer blow came when Andy Flintoff, who had announced his intentions by smashing Jeff Cook for a straight six, was brilliantly run out by Northants' Aussie skipper Mike Hussey.

Two overs later Stuart Law, who looked in good touch, holed out to long on and when Glen Chapple became a second stumping victim for the Northants keeper Toby Bailey, the game was up.

"Very disappointing," sighed cricket manager Mike Watkinson.

Earlier a Lancashire attack missing Peter Martin, who suffered a minor finger injury dropping a chance in the Championship game against Notts, had managed to take only one Northants wicket in 37 overs.

The Steelbacks ended on 196 for two but that was only after Phil Jaques, another Aussie with a European passport, was run out off the last ball of

the innings.

Hussey, who had only arrived from Australia A duty on Friday, did most of the damage with an unbeaten 84, showing why Lancashire were keen to sign him two years ago.

Chapple was Lancashire's most economic bowler and Kyle Hogg took the only

wicket but a single over from Chris Schofield which cost 15 runs handed the impetus to Northants.

There had also been frustration for Lancashire in the Championship on Saturday with the rain preventing any chance of forcing a win against Notts, although at least five wickets from Martin on his first appearance of the season ensured maximum bowling points.

Lancashire now have a week to lick their wounds before returning to National League action at Durham next Monday.