ASHLEY Giles says Lancashire cannot afford to rest easy as they reach the halfway point in their LV= County Championship campaign.

Giles’ side have an enviable 31-point lead from second-placed Surrey thanks to four wins and two draws from their first seven matches, including a crucial draw at the Oval earlier this week.

Tomorrow they travel to Bristol to face Gloucestershire, the only team to beat Lancashire so far, having done so at Emirates Old Trafford last month.

But the Red Rose have bounced back impressively since then, winning two before this week's draw.

Although winning Division Two would be the perfect scenario for a Lancashire team relegated last season, the most important thing is to finish in the top two to earn promotion.

They are 34 points clear of Glamorgan, who have only played six – the same number as Surrey.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” said cricket director and head coach Giles.

“There’s a lot of cricket to be played, and in the second division there’s always a lot of results, particularly now, when sides are flagging a bit at the bottom and mid-table sides will start to contrive matches.

“We want to play a really good brand of cricket throughout the summer.

“With Surrey being our closest rivals, I felt it was important we didn’t lose that match.

“You set out every game, when you arrive, to win. But if you can’t win, then you need to play resilient, tough cricket, and I thought we did that.

"From 108-6, it was a tough spot in reply to 448 (in the first innings).

“We need to be on it this week because we have some important games coming up. Gloucester is one, having lost to them at home. It’s important we go there and win.”

Gloucester, who are fourth in the table, have lost one and drawn one since beating Lancashire by 91 runs last month.

Meanwhile, Lancashire opener Luis Reece could be out for another eight or nine weeks after suffering a broken hand in a dressing room accident following a second-innings dismissal against Gloucester.

He is thought to have punched a dressing room wall in frustration, with Giles adding: “There are certain things you do when you are young that you regret.”