LANCASHIRE are back in Division One of the LV= County Championship after holding on for a draw during yesterday’s final day against Kent at Canterbury.

Resuming on 47-2 in their second innings after following-on 311 runs behind in reply to Kent’s 570-8 declared, Lancashire batted through day four to close on 258-4 from 102 overs.

Unbeaten half-centuries from captain Steven Croft and Alex Davies were key as they shared a defensive unbroken 120 inside 50 overs for the fifth wicket.

Croft finished with 72 not out off 209 balls and Davies 58 not out off 153.

But the Red Rose have limped over the promotion line following a disappointing display against a Kent team eighth in Division Two.

Unfortunately, this result means Lancashire have relinquished the lead at the top of Division Two to Surrey, who beat Derbyshire at the Oval yesterday to move five points clear.

The two sides meet at Emirates Old Trafford a week on Monday in a potential title decider.

Bolton opener Haseeb Hameed contributed a composed 44 at the top of the order in only his second first-team appearance before Croft and Davies completed the job either side of tea.

Hameed shared 47 for the second wicket with Alviro Petersen during the latter stages of day three before adding 62 for the third with Ashwell Prince yesterday morning before the latter was trapped lbw for 39 by Darren Stevens.

Prince’s was the only wicket to fall before lunch, although Hameed was bowled by Calum Haggett half an hour into the afternoon, leaving Lancashire at 138-4 in the 53rd over.

Unflustered Hameed hit five fours in his 138 balls.

It took Croft 142 balls to get into the thirties, which he did shortly before tea, and he and Davies brought up their 50-run stand in the early stages of the evening inside 33 overs.

When Croft reached 50 off 174 balls, he had been at the crease for 203 minutes and virtually seen his side over the line with less than 22 overs remaining and the score at 216-4.

By the time Davies brought up his 136-ball fifty, the pair had secured their century stand inside 43 overs. The players shook hands at 4.55pm.

Lancashire have looked a fatigued unit this week.

Not only did the start of this match come less than 48 hours after Saturday;s T20 triumph, they have also sorely missed injured seamers Kyle Jarvis and James Faulkner.