LANCASHIRE coach Mike Watkinson insists he will not dwell on relegation as he plots his side's return to the Frizzell County Championship First Division.

Pre-season title favourites Lancashire will be playing Second Division cricket next season after Gloucestershire condemned them to the drop yesterday.

Their fate was confirmed when Gloucestershire claimed their sixth wicket in Lancashire's reply to 311 for eight at Old Trafford, giving them the crucial fifth bonus point that guaranteed their own safety.

Watkinson said: "This has hurt me greatly and the feeling we have experienced in the last month has been very difficult.

"We have been under a lot of pressure and the lads have worked hard but we must look forward.

"I hope people can see the club has made some great strides in the development of young players and the set-up of the Academy. In two or three years' time they will be flooding into the first team. We cannot be too down about things."

Lancashire now plan to regroup over the winter and will look to recruit new players to strengthen their squad.

Watkinson insists the club will still be able to attract new players.

He added: "I think this is a club people really want to play for. We have never had a problem attracting players to this club."

Dominic Cork hit 70 in 77 balls, while Mark Chilton scored 47.