LANCASHIRE faced a tense battle with Surrey at the Oval after a brilliant performance by Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmoud.

He grabbed the first five wickets in their second innings to drag Surrey back into the game after Lancashire had claimed a first innings lead of 104.

Mahmoud had Alec Swann, David Byas and Graham Lloyd caught behind, trapped Mark Chilton for a good 35, and bowled Andy Flintoff in a superb 12-over spell to leave Lancashire on 124 for five.

It was a timely performance by Mahmoud on the day he discovered that his Pakistan team-mate Saqlain Mushtaq will shortly replace him as Surrey's overseas player.

Lancashire cricket manager Mike Watkinson refused to blame his batsmen for squandering the strong position earned by Flintoff's first innings century followed by five wickets for Glen Chapple.

"You've got to hand the credit to Azhar because he bowled brilliantly, swinging it both ways," said Watkinson, who refused to set the rest of Lancashire's batsmen a target for today.

"It's hard to say, because Surrey bat all the way down just like we do," he added.

"They are a very dangerous side. Stewart, Thorpe and Ramprakash got one run between them in the first innings so they'll be looking to do a bit better than that."

Surrey showed the strength in depth in their batting line-up, which has frustrated Lancashire in the past, as their last three wickets added 124 in the first innings to steer them from 92 for seven to a more respectable 216 all out.

Alex Tudor, who is expected to replace the injured Darren Gough when England's squad for the First Test is named this weekend, showed his batting ability with 61 and there was even an unbeaten 35 from last man Jimmy Ormond.

Lancashire were grateful to Chapple, who returned to trap Tudor lbw and complete figures of five for 65, his best of the season as he picks up where he left off last year.