LANCASHIRE'S disastrous weekend continued after they were soundly beaten by the Nottinghamshire Outlaws at Trent Bridge.

After a frustrating afternoon against the Yorkshire tail on Saturday afternoon in the Championship draw at Headingley, Mark Chilton's side put in an error strewn performance in their 61-run Totesport League defeat.

After winning the toss and inviting the hosts to bat, the Lightning got off to a fine start that left the bottom club reeling.

Dominic Cork and James Anderson took the wickets of Graeme Swann and David Alleyne to reduce the scoreboard to 17-2, before Sajid Mahmood and Steven Crook got in on the act.

Sandwiched in between Crook's wickets of Russell Warren and Samit Patel, Mahmood had New Zealander Stephen Fleming caught at deep point by Stuart Law to give Lancashire the initiative at 77-5.

However, that was unfortunately as good as it got for the visitors, as England exile Chris Read, aided by 48 from David Hussey and 35 from Mark Ealham, hit a magnificent 68 that included four sixes to rescue the total.

The Red Rose county should still have been chasing a lot less than the 250 they were set, had they not bowled 26 needless wides.

When Mal Loye, Iain Sutcliffe and Stuart Law were dismissed cheaply to reduce Lancs to 55-3 in reply, a victory was never likely.

Australian Brad Hodge (27) then continued his dismal season just one run later, when he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Read off Mark Ealham's first ball.

Then, after the wickets of Andrew Crook, skipper Chilton and Steven Crook, Warren Hegg's 29 kept faint hopes alive.

Dominic Cork's quick fire 40 furthered the late resistance, but the spiralling run-rate was always out of reach.

Nottinghamshire's first win of the season now leaves Lancs in third place, eight points behind leaders Middlesex, with their next league game not until July 19 when they play Essex Eagles at Old Trafford.