LANCASHIRE fell to a crushing 102 run defeat against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham, putting a huge dent in their hopes of winning the National League.

The Red Rose side were skittled out for just 114 after being set 217 from 36 overs in a rain affected game. The home side had made a useful 211-9 before their bowling attack stunned Lancashire.

Jon Lewis ripped out the top four batsmen in an opening spell of six overs, leaving Lancashire in trouble on 43-4.

The Gloucestershire seamer bowled a superb line and found movement in the pitch, removing Mal Loye and Dinesh Mongia in successive balls.

Carl Hooper (20) tried to launch a counter-attack by launching Ian Fisher for a six but the left-arm spinner got his revenge straight away when he trapped the West Indian leg before for 20 to virtually seal defeat for Lancashire.

Coach Mike Watkinson found it hard to explain the result: "I thought we were very capable of winning. I can't really put my finger on what happened. We were happy with the score they got, but they bowled well and caused the top order problems."

Sajid Mahmood had been the pick of the Lancashire bowlers, taking 2-27 from seven overs after Gloucestershire had been given a flying start by Craig Spearman and Phil Weston. Mahmood had Weston taken at slip and the other bowlers pegged back the scoring in the closing overs but Australian Mike Hussey (60) ensured they had more than enough.

This result leaves Lancashire four points behind Glamorgan, having played two games more. The nature of this defeat means their run rate has also taken a hammering so they are now relying on other teams to slip up if they want to mount a title challenge.