LANCASHIRE coach Mike Watkinson admits they may have made the wrong decision by batting first on the opening day against Surrey at Whitgift School.

He had to watch as his side was bowled out for 210 and then saw Surrey reach 144-2 by the close of this crucial relegation clash.

Watkinson said: "Maybe we should have bowled first but if we can keep them down to 300 the lead won't be out of hand and you can win games from that sort of position."

It could have been a lot worse for the Red Rose side. They quickly slumped to 21-4 in the morning. Stand-in captain Carl Hooper started a recovery with 31 and Chris Schofield (69) and Glen Chapple (36) launched a counter-attack with positive play.

The main positive was another impressive innings from Schofield. Following his 99 against Warwickshire in the last Championship match he again showed good form to steer Lancashire towards 200, suggesting that he can make himself into a very useful batsman.

Cork gave Lancashire an early boost when he had Richard Clinton caught by Mark Chilton but Scott Newman and Mark Ramprakash added 102 for the second wicket before Newman was stumped off Gary Keedy, the team's leading wicket taker, late in the day.