BRING on Surrey! That was the message from Lancashire skipper Wasim Akram after yesterday's dramatic nine-run victory over Somerset at Old Trafford.

Lancashire made hard work of their second Championship win of the season, dropping three chances as Somerset recovered from 123-7.

But the 22 points they took from the game leave them sitting pretty today in sixth place in the table, their best position for two years. And victory over the leaders Surrey in the next game, starting at Old Trafford on Thursday, would thrust them into the thick of the title race.

"Our confidence is very high after this, and when we feel like this we can destroy teams," said Wasim, who claimed four wickets in the Somerset second innings including last man Andrew Caddick caught behind.

"We had to work hard to beat Somerset and that's what we must do in every game. As long as you stick together and back each other up, you are ok. That's exactly what we did. "Another couple of performances like this and we will be on the right tracks for the Championship."

The first missed chance when Somerset resumed on 47-4, needing another 224 to win, was the easiest - John Crawley dropping Piran Holloway at cover. Holloway, then 24, went on to 47 and batted for another 21 overs.

But it didn't seem too important as Ian Austin had Simon Ecclestone caught behind, Paddy McKeown took a good short leg catch to dismiss Rob Turner off Peter Martin, and Glen Chapple had Holloway caught low down at slip by Mike Atherton.

But then Graham Rose joined Marcus Trescothick for an eighth wicket stand of 102. Lancashire could have broken it on 59, but Mike Watkinson could not hold a sharp chance at third slip when Chapple found Trescothick's edge.

It was Wasim who finally broke the stand, bowling Rose for 56 with a beauty, and when Martin had Mushtaq caught by Chapple at mid-on with 35 still needed, Lancashire were breathing more easily again.

But Trescothick survived to reach his half century and after being given a second life by McKeown at backward point off the unlucky Martin, celebrated by hooking a six into the members' area to bring Somerset within reach.

Fortunately Wasim, bowling quickly but erratically, kept his cool like the great international bowler he is, to breathe new life into Lancashire's season. SOMERSET

Second Innings

P Bowler c Watkinson b Wasim ... 7

P Holloway c Atherton b Chapple ... 47

R Harden c Hegg b Wasim ... 6

M Lathwell c Hegg b Chapple ... 5

M Bulbeck b Chapple ... 0

S Ecclestone c Hegg b Austin ... 11

R Turner c McKeown b Martin ... 7

M Trescothick not out ... 73

G Rose b Wasim ... 56

Mushtaq Ahmed c Chapple b Martin ... 1

A Caddick c Hegg b Wasim ... 2

Extras ... 46

Total (all out) ... 261

Bowling: Wasim 30.1-6-105-4; Martin 25-4-63-2; Chapple 16-4-47-3; Austin 11-4-25-1; Watkinson 2-0-11-0 Lancashire (22 pts) beat Somerset (5) 9 runs

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