LANCASHIRE captain John Crawley believes his team have got their foot in the door of the Championship race after completing a crushing nine-wicket victory over the First Division leaders Yorkshire at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Two wickets for Mike Smethurst and one for Glen Chapple polished off the remains of Yorkshire's second innings leaving Lancashire only 47 to win -- and Neil Fairbrother rounded things off in spectacular style by lofting Ian Fisher for a straight six.

Lancashire took 17 points to Yorkshire's three to close the gap at the top of the table to two points -- and bring that magical first title for 66 years within reach.

"It was an important game," said a delighted Crawley. "The way seasons pan out generally you either have to draw or win against the teams of equal standing.

"It's early to say that the same two teams will be up there at the end of the season, but it's always nice to get a foot in the door early on." Lancashire now have games against two of the First Division strugglers, Derbyshire and Durham, before a tricky trip to Somerset then the big Roses rematch at Headingley at the end of the month.

The latest win was even more impressive as it came despite the absence of England's Mike Atherton and injured trio Peter Martin, Ian Austin and Andy Flintoff.

Chapple and Smethurst continue to shine in the absence of Martin. It was Chapple who put Lancashire on top with a super four-wicket burst in the Yorkshire first innings on Thursday, and Smethurst polished off the tail ruthlessly.

With spinners Gary Yates and Gary Keedy also bowling well, and Warren Hegg hitting a priceless half century in the Lancashire first innings, it was a superb team performance. However, Yorkshire also had four men at Lord's on Test duty and Crawley was not getting carried away.

"It was a good performance," he added. "We bowled particularly well I thought, especially in the first innings to set up the win. We didn't bat as well as we could, but there was always a bit there for the bowlers.

"It would be hard work for us to win a lot of games on very flat pitches without any encouragement for the seamers and spinners, but those are the games when we'd have to get a good side of 12 points from the draw."

But first Lancashire need to get their act together in one-day cricket with a NatWest Trophy fourth round tie against Essex at Old Trafford on Wednesday.