LANCASHIRE were battling to avoid their sixth Championship defeat of the season at Old Trafford today.

They resumed their second innings against Essex on 213-6, still needing another 138 for victory - a tall order on a turning pitch.

Wednesday's rain forced another two-hour delay yesterday leaving insufficient time for a two innings match. So Lancashire knocked 39 off Essex's first inning total of 389, declared, then Essex forfeited their second innings.

Atherton returning to the side in place of Jason Gallian, gave them a solid platform with a 98 ball half century, only the third time he has passed 50 in the Championship this season. But after he was caught at slip of former England off-spinner Peter Such, Lancashire slipped from 107-1 to 166-5 - Crawley disappointed to be given out caught off bat and pad for a battling 35.

But the former Yorkshire left-arm spinner claimed revenge when Austin drove a catch to short cover, leaving the Lancashire lower order needing 149 more runs to win and there was further trouble today as Gary Yates fell for seven before Rcihard Green and Warren Hegg took the score to 276, still 75 runs short.

The second team again did better at Worcester thanks to another bold declaration. Skipper Peter Sleep cut short Lancashire's first innings on 160-4, still 82 runs behind, after a half century from Gallian.

He was rewarded as Worcestershire were all out for 161 in their second innings with three wickets for Darren Shadford.

Lancashire resumed their second innings today on seven without loss, needing another 237 to close the gap on leaders Yorkshire.

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