WORCESTERSHIRE must prepare for a full season of Division Two cricket next year after crashing pitifully to Lancashire in their totesport League relegation decider yesterday.

The Royals were condemned to the drop -- and allowed their red rose county visitors to keep their place at the top table --with a miserable 75-run defeat at New Road.

Billed as a 'winner-stays-up' showdown, a packed house, filled predominantly with home supporters, were treated to an anti-climatic affair so in keeping with the County's poor 2005 season.

Chasing Lancashire Lightning's highly competitive 186-8 in the rain-reduced 33-over match, the Royals surrendered to 111 all out with barely a whimper.

When the chips were down against a Lancashire side hungry to win handsomely, their batsmen failed to carry the fight.

Ben Smith stuck around for 19 and captain Vikram Solanki top-scored with 23.

But it was plainly not enough and Solanki's personal frustration, taking a swipe at the wickets when neatly stumped by Gareth Cross, summed up a forgettable afternoon and summer at large.

The County made a positive start when, after losing a decent-to-win toss, David Leatherdale (2-38) and Gareth Batty (3-51) reduced Lightning to 65-4 in the 17th over.

However, the tide turned during a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 84 between Stuart Law and Glen Chapple. Law was in monstrous mood, smashing 67 off 64 balls, while Chapple posted a quick 41.

Ray Price, awarded the club's one-day player of 2005, applied the pressure with an economical seven overs for 20 runs.

But the match swung Lancashire's way when Batty was heaved for four sixes over mid-wicket in an over costing 27 runs.

Both batsmen fell in the field to aggressive punts, Chapple to Batty at the mid-wicket boundary and Law smacking Batty to Solanki at short mid-off, although the damage was already done. Even Shoaib Akhtar failed to sign out of New Road with a bang, costing 40 runs with one wicket.

Lancashire then demonstrated their all-round strength with a disciplined performance with the ball. James Anderson trapped Stephen Moore (13) leg-before and a lifter from Chapple forced Chris Gayle to edge to Andy Crook at point.

Anderson kept up the momentum, tempting Graeme Hick into an ugly shot to Kyle Hogg, before finishing with 3-12.

He was offered superb assistance from Murali Kartik (2-24) and Andrew Symonds (2-26) and polished off Worcestershire's rotten year when last-man Price skied straight to Mark Chilton.