MAL LOYE hit his second century in two innings for Lancashire to earn a place in Red Rose history.

But the former Northampton man still insisted: "I'm not really playing that well."

Loye followed his 126 against Surrey at the Oval with 113 on the first day against Notts at Old Trafford, becoming the first Lancashire batsman to score centuries in his first two innings for the club.

When he hits form, the rest of the First Division could be in real trouble!

Loye's patient five-hour innings, plus a powerful 97 from Andy Flintoff in a fifth wicket stand of 137, looked to have put Lancashire on course for maximum batting points for the second game running. but those hopes were scuppered by a dramatic collapse as the last five wickets tumbled for 14 runs, with South African seamer Steve Elworthy showing how much he has improved since a disappointing season with Lancashire in 1996 to end with five for 71.

But even that held some encouragement for Lancashire, with Elworthy and the rest of the Notts attack finding swing and bounce from the Old Trafford pitch.

So their total of 354 gave the pace attack of Flintoff, James Anderson, Glen Chapple and Peter Martin plenty to work on today - while with nine batting points from their first two games, Lancashire are already well on the way to beating last season's total of 33.