LANCASHIRE concluded their pre-season preparations with a comprehensive 134-run defeat at the hands of Durham.

The Red Rose were always on the back foot at Old Trafford chasing a testing 243 for 5 from 50 overs - and they fell a good way short, collapsing to 109 all out on Thursday.

"Perhaps this will just come as a sharp reminder to the lads of the qualities they will need to win games," explained cricket manager Mike Watkinson.

"We have had two good days of cricket - and won one, lost one. We would have liked to have won both games, but we didn't bat as well as we would have liked out there."

Paul Horton strengthened his claim for a place in Lancashire's County Championship line-up against Warwickshire next week with a fine 33, while Bolton's Karl Brown made just eight at the top of the order.

Glen Chapple and Tom Smith were the pick of the Lancashire bowlers in the Durham innings.

Chapple claimed 1-29 off his ten overs, while Smith picked up 2-58. Kyle Hogg and Gary Keedy also picked up a wicket apiece.

Two fire engines, meanwhile, were called to Old Trafford to attend to a smoky home dressing room kitchen after one of the players had forgotten about their burning breakfast.