LANCASHIRE suffered a serious blow to their title hopes in a stunning defeat at Grace Road.

After their washed-out game with champs Surrey recently, John Crawley's side needed to get back on the winning track but they went down by six runs to an injury-hit Leicester attack.

Needing 211 they were coasting along at 113-2 with Crawley and Ryan Driver punishing some loose bowling, until the erratic Devon Malcolm suddenly sparked off a collapse.

The 38 years-old ex Test paceman had been a thorn in Lancashire's side for a week, taking four wickets in a Benson and Hedges Cup tie and five in the first innings of the championship game.

And he rattled them again by removing Crawley for 53 and then Neil Fairbrother in successive overs. When Danny Marsh's left arm spin accounted for Driver Lancashire were 121-5.

Glen Chapple hammered a defiant 44 but a couple of lbw decisions accounted for Warren Hegg and Peter Martin and, in a tension-packed finish, two magnificent catches by Marsh clinched a shock Leicester success.

Lancashire have four days to regroup before Glamorgan visit Old Trafford next week. Mike Atherton will be with England -- and may have played his last championship game -- and Andy Flintoff is still fighting to recover from a torn side muscle.