Cricket: Title-chasing Lancashire facing race against time.

Byline: BY SAM PETERS Daily Post Correspondent

LANCASHIRE and Warwickshire were forced to watch the rain ruin part of the second day of their Liverpool Victoria County Championship clash at Blackpool - but it was a major surprise that it did not savage the full day.

The Red Rose county are desperately seeking as much play as they can at present as they search their first four-day title since 1934.

And while the rain lashed down at their usual Old Trafford home, the moisture was less sporadic on the seaside.

In the 37 and a bit overs which were possible, Iain Sutcliffe led a surge which added a further 179 runs to their first day total of 250 for three - with Nathan Astle and Luke Sutton chipping in with 64 and 42.

Sutcliffe recorded his Lancashire best, of 159, by hitting 24 boundaries in all as Naqaash Tahir picked up four for 96 for the visitors.

Astle's knock, only his second half-century for the Red Rose, was a big boost to the Lancashire players and fans alike because he has not been in the best of touch.

When play started half an hour late it was clear what Lancashire's intentions were - Sutcliffe and Astle hit most of the 117 runs in 26 morning overs.

With regular updates of the Sussex-Hampshire clash relayed over the tannoy at Blackpool, the post lunch frustration was clear to see.

When play resumes today, it looks likely Mark Chilton will declare on 429 for six and have an immediate crack at the Warwickshire batting order.

Captain Chilton said: "Our best chance of winning will be to bowl Warwickshire out before follow on.

"If it means chasing a small fourth innings target then that may be our best chance. We will just have to see."

Meanwhile Mike Watkinson has signed an extension to his contract as Lancashire's cricket manager and will remain in charge at Old Trafford until 2009.

The former Lancashire and England all-rounder is in his fifth season in the position and has been rewarded for their progress on the field, where they narrowly lost last Saturday's C&G Trophy final and are challenging for their first outright championship since 1934.