LANCASHIRE yesterday finished a successful 2015 with a second place finish in the LV= County Championship’s Division Two after falling short of an unlikely victory over Essex during yesterday’s final day at Chelmsford.

Rain wiped out Tuesday’s first day and Thursday’s evening session, meaning Steven Croft’s side were always up against it following Essex’s strong first-innings 394.

Lancashire knew they needed to win this match with a haul of 22 points and hope Northamptonshire held on for a draw against leaders Surrey.

The most realistic way for Lancashire to win yesterday was a contrived run chase, something which was discussed before play and ruled out.

The visitors needed to reach 300 in their first innings to accrue the necessary amount of bonus points to go with the 16 for the win.

Even without Essex’s agreement on a contrivance, it was still a surprise that Croft and company did not show a touch more intent with the bat during the second half of the morning.

They could have easily got to 300 before lunch, declared and tried to produce a miracle by bowling Essex out cheaply before a late run chase.

Luis Reece and retiring Ashwell Prince both completed half-centuries yesterday.

Prince set off like a train. He scored 37 runs in his first 26 balls of the day having received a guard of honour from the Essex players to greet his arrival at the crease.

He hit seven fours in a run of nine balls faced, including five fours in a row against the medium pace of Jesse Ryder on the way to 51 off 38 balls – ended when he drove Graham Napier to cover.

Prince and Reece shared 81 in 11 overs for the third wicket to advance the score from 122-2, with the latter top-scoring in the innings with a polished 82 off 139 balls.

Left-handed Reece was making his first Championship appearance since early May having broken his hand.

Lancashire were bowled out for 310 having slipped from 281-4 shortly after lunch.

When Essex started their second innings 84 ahead, there were 52 overs left in the day, and they soon slipped to 10-2 after six, including Glen Chapple getting Alastair Cook caught at third slip for six.

Essex closed on 138-3 from 30 overs with Bolton duo Haseeb Hameed and Karl Brown bowling an over apiece.

Despite being frustrating this week, Lancashire will be delighted with securing promotion and the NatWest T20 Blast trophy this summer.