STEVE Rhodes expressed his regret at Worcestershire's relegation from the Frizzell County Championship Division One when he ended his playing career at New Road yesterday.

After one season in the top flight the County dropped back to the Second Division when they ended their campaign with a draw against Lancashire.

Captain Rhodes has retired from playing after 20 seasons with Worcestershire to take over a coaching role at New Road.

He said: "It's a shame that we were in the circumstances we were. It would have been nice to have staved off relegation, but I can only say that the guys have given it their all this year. It just hasn't worked out."

Lancashire, still in with a fighting chance of avoiding relegation, survived early morning scares when pacemen Andrew Hall and Andy Bichel took four wickets for three runs before eventually reaching 242-6 declared.

It left the County a target of 294 in what became 47 overs, an initial rate of 6.53 an over, a stern challenge which frustrated New Road chief executive Mark Newton.

"I was very unimpressed with the declaration. I hope they come down with us," said Newton.

By the close, the County were 199-8 with Rhodes battling to the end with an undefeated 19.

Earlier, Ben Smith had made 50, including one six and seven fours off 62 balls, and Stephen Moore 19 to enable both batsmen to register 1,000 first-class runs for the season.

At the half-way stage in their run chase the County were 103-3, but then slipped disappointingly to 134-6.

Rhodes and Hall, however, managed to hold up Lancashire's progress when they put on 54 for the seventh wicket. Hall departed for 39 in what was probably his last match for the County.

The South African is now free to talk to other counties while his overseas team-mate Andy Bichel is definitely leaving New Road by mutual consent.