Surrey suffer title worry

County Championship D1, Old Trafford: Lancashire 341 & 135-2 beat Surrey 337 & 138 by eight wickets
Points: Lancashire 20, Surrey 6

Full scorecard

Sutcliffe struck a rapid 47

Lancashire dealt a blow to Surrey's hopes of defending their County Championship title with an eight-wicket victory at Olrd Trafford.

The defeat sees visitors re-take top spot in the table because of bonus points, but with a lead of just single point over Sussex, who have a game in hand.

Lancashire's triumph keeps their faint title hopes alive, but they will need other results to go their way even if they beat Sussex at home in two weeks' time.

Lancs took just seven balls on the final morning to take the two remaining Surrey wickets with the score 138.

Saqlain Mushtaq was caught behind for 11 and James Ormond was run out by Stuart Law from fine leg as he attempted to protect last man Tim Murtagh from the strike.

Iain Sutcliffe led the reply with a rapid 47, hitting nine fours in a 62-ball innings, as the home side chased 135 to wrap up victory.

Sutcliffe was caught behind off Azhar Mahmood but Law smashed an unbeaten 35 from 22 balls to ensure victory just after lunch.

Opener Mark Chilton leant support to both men with a patient 33.

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Lancashire: I J Sutcliffe, M R Currie, S G Law, C L Hooper M J Chilton, G Chapple, W K Hegg (Capt, Wkt), C P Schofield, P J Martin, J Wood, G Keedy.

Surrey: I J Ward, J N Batty (Wkt), A D Brown, G P Thorpe, R Clarke, Saqlain Mushtaq, A J Hollioake (Capt), Azhar Mahmood I D K Salisbury, J Ormond, T J Murtagh.