MIKE Watkinson could not hide his disappointment after Lancashire lost their Twenty20 semi-final against Surrey by one run.

Despite restricting the 2003 Champions to 133, the Red Rose side stuttered in reply, and needing two to win off the last ball, could only manage a single.

Watkinson said: "Everyone is blaming themselves, but the fact is we just didn't bat well enough.

"We've often got some punishment in the first six overs but have usually pulled it back with the slower bowlers, and we did that really well again.

"Our fielding was as sharp as it could have been. It's one of those totals you think if you bat properly you should get, but Surrey managed to put the pressure on.

"We lost wickets at the wrong time, and the rate kept going up. Just when you thought players were getting set they got out."

It extends Lancashire's semi-final jinx to six defeats in a row dating back to 2000: "We will keep going," said Watkinson. "It's hard to wag fingers at people, because in the field, I though we were spot on."

Leicestershire Foxes became the first side to beat Surrey Lions in two years of the Twenty20 Cup as skipper Brad Hodge's unbeaten 77 from 53 balls set up a seven wicket victory in the final.

Leicestershire were set a daunting 169 to win after Surrey opener Alistair Brown hit 64 in just 41 balls, but they were up with the pace throughout and reached their target with five balls to spare.