WARREN Hegg has vowed to battle on as Lancashire captain despite the angry scenes at the end of the team's latest defeat against Surrey.

Throughout Saturday's play members of the Old Trafford crowd had been voicing their displeasure at the performance and as Hegg left the field at the end he exchanged words with one of those supporters.

"I'm not going to quit while we're in a battle," said Hegg. "It just disappoints me that, with our backs against the wall, a small percentage of our supporters get into our lads about being rubbish.

"We're scrapping and everyone is trying hard, and it really hurts when people question our commitment. I've played here for nearly 20 years and sweated blood and tears for this club."

"People should know that I'm an approachable guy and if they want to say something they can come and talk to me, not shout it out from 100 yards away. I said it is cowardly and I stand by that."

"But I want to assure the supporters of Lancashire that we are trying our hardest, things just aren't going our way."

Their 147-run defeat to Surrey leaves them eighth in Division One with just two games remaining and staring relegation in the face.

A target of 277 was always unlikely on a turning pitch as all 20 wickets on the third day fell to spin. Gary Keedy and Carl Hooper both took their seasons best figures while Nayan Doshi finished with 11 in the match for Surrey.

But Mike Watkinson feels they could have got closer: "We could have got that total, we've got class players but there is a real lack of confidence, especially with the bat."