SCOTLAND ended their final YB40 campaign without a win after Lancashire eased to victory at a damp and murky Titwood last night.

The Saltires could only muster 145 all out, a total that was never going to be enough against county opposition, and, sure enough, Lancashire eased to their revised target of 125 from 28 overs in the gathering gloom.

"Of course it's disappointing to go through the whole season without beating a county," said Preston Mommsen, the Saltires captain, "especially since it is the first time it has happened in 11 years, but we have to keep a sense of perspective. We went into the season without an experienced overseas player and all the counties we came out against have loads of experience."

There might have been more pressure on Lancashire had Scotland batted with more urgency but, with the exception of a late burst from Calvin Burnett (25), their effort was a familiar tale of limp progress. At one stage, as wickets steadily fell, the Saltire went 141 deliveries without crossing the boundary rope. Before Burnett let fly, the only scores of any paltry note came from Berrington (36) and Mommsen, who finished on 31 not out from 50 deliveries.

"We saw how the Lancashire bowlers adjusted to the conditions," said Mommsen. "They knew immediately how to bowl on the wicket and made it hard for us to get any rhythm. It was a bad toss to lose and it was difficult to get any momentum going."

In reply, Tom Smith and Ashwell Prince kept the county ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis rate. Prince, deceived by Majid Haq, eventually chipped-up a catch to Burnett but his 36, including four boundaries and a six, had put the visitors in charge.

Simon Katich also fell to Gordon Goudie as the Saltires at least went down fighting but Smith finished unbeaten on 42 as Lancashire eased home with seven wickets and 28 balls to spare.