CRICKET: COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP: Lancs fail to escape the drop; Hegg: We'll bounce back.

Byline: ANDY HAMPSON

LANCASHIRE captain Warren Hegg voiced his side's determination to bounce back after they were relegated from the First Division of the Frizzell County Championship yesterday.

Following Gloucestershire's controversial declaration on Thursday, Hegg's side needed to reach 400-5 for the batting points to give them a chance of staying up.

But they were condemned to the drop when Gloucestershire secured their crucial fifth bonus point on the second day at Old Trafford.

The dismissal of Andy Crook, the sixth man to fall in Lancashire's reply to Gloucestershire's 311-8 declared, meant the visitors were mathematically safe from relegation.

Lancashire were eventually bowled out for 311 and can still win the match, but have lost their survival battle.

Hegg, whose side were championship favourites in May, said: ``Obviously we're very disappointed to be going down.

``A club as big as this belongs in the top flight and unfortunately we are not there.

``We're very low because the boys realise they're going to be playing in the Second Division.

``But we have got good things set in place here. There are a lot of good up and -coming players and if we keep doing the right things we will bounce back. ''

Hegg refused to confirm if this would be his last game as captain but hinted he was considering his position.

The former England wicket-keeper said: ``It has been mentioned a lot and I think there will be a statement put out by the club in the next month.

``It has been an honour to captain such a big club but at the moment I want to get on with trying to win this game. ''