LANCASHIRE suffered a demoralising innings and 37 run defeat against arch rivals Yorkshire at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Skipper John Crawley's decision to put Yorkshire in to bat after winning the toss - ironically Yorks would have also put the opposition in - backfired dramatically as Yorks reached 467-9 declared.

So despite losing the first day to rain, the White Rose county still achieved a comprehensive, and potentially championship winning performance, with plenty of time to spare.

When play resumed today Lancs threatened briefly, thanks to a battling 74 from Chilton, but still trailed by 53 runs.

Then after the lunch break they collapsed dramatically, losing the remaining five wickets for just 16 runs.

Skipper John Crawley appeared on the balcony and publically apologised to fans for the performance and a team inquest was expected to be launched.

The result meant that Yorkshire - on the brink of chalking up their first championship in 33 years - could celebrate early with their first Roses double over their oldest foes since 1978.

Meanwhile, departing coach Bobby Simpson is looking for another key contribution from evergreen Neil Fairbrother to keep their season alive in Sunday's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy semi-final with Leicestershire at Grace Road.

Fairbrother may be 37 but Simpson believes he is in some of the best form of his career and a combination of laser treatment on his eyes in March and a tightening up of his technique have been major contributory factors.

The former England left-handed demonstrated his mastery of the limited overs game for the umpteenth time in the quarter-final win over Durham at Blackpool with a masterful 70.

The ability of Fairbrother, who played in the 1999 World Cup finals, to find the gaps and score almost at will means he is still one of the best exponents of the one-day game even at this stage of his career.