MIKE Atherton is doubtful for tomorrow's Championship game against Kent after defying a foot injury to keep Lancashire's CGU National League title bid on track at Old Trafford last night.

It was hop-along Atherton after he was hit on the foot by a yorker from young Hampshire seamer Simon Francis early in his innings, but that didn't stop him making his fourth half century in six one-day appearances this season to steer Lightning to a comfortable six-wicket win.

The famous Atherton stubbornness was on view as he refused to call for the physio or ask for a runner.

"That wouldn't be his way," said skipper John Crawley. "He was in obvious discomfort but he just go on with the job and did it magnificently."

But Crawley confirmed that Atherton would be a doubt for the Championship game against Kent, when Lancashire will be looking for their seventh win in eight games to confirm their place in the top four.

There weren't many spectacular shots in Atherton's innings, with his 55 coming from 96 balls with only five fours, each one greeted with a firework and a huge cheer from another excellent 9,114 crowd.

But it was exactly what was needed after a typical whirlwind 27 from Andy Flintoff, including a huge six over mid wicket off Dimitri Mascarenhas which had the spectators on the Lancashire Lodge balconies ducking for cover, had brought a modest target of 181 well within reach. Flintoff had earlier produced his best-ever one-day bowling figures of 4-24, including one spell of three wickets in five balls.

But it was his first wicket, that of Robin Smith, which rocked Hampshire on to the back foot after Smith and Giles White had steered the Hawks to 85-2.

Smith was surprised by Flintoff's pace as he gave himself room to cut, then in the 28th over Flintoff had Will Kendall and Mascarenhas caught behind off consecutive balls, and bowled Shaun Udal.

When White was run out by a direct hit from mid-off by Gary Yates immediately after reaching a 68 ball 50, the Hawks had slipped to 109-7.

They did well to reach 180 after that, mainly thank to an eighth wicket stand of 69 between Adrian Aymes and Simon Renshaw.

But Peter Martin returned to end that stand and put the brakes on late in the innings for impressive figures of 2-22 in his nine overs.

Then, after Flintoff's flyer, Crawley helped Atherton put on 50 for the third wicket to set up victory.

Lightning are now two points clear of Worcestershire and could clinch the title on Sunday by beating Kent at Old Trafford - if Worcester lose at Hampshire.

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