A POOR batting display by Somerset saw them slip to a heavy 165-run defeat against Lancashire at Old Trafford as their indifferent start to the season continued.

The game resumed with Lancashire on 423-7, and some crucial runs were added by Ryan McLaren and Stephen Parry before the former perished trying to attack, succeeding only in chipping the ball to Dean Elgar off the bowling of Lewis Gregory.

Tim Groenewald was next to strike, drawing Kyle Jarvis into an uppish drive that was caught by Jack Leach, and the innings was ended when Gregory had Parry caught behind to complete his five-wicket haul.

Set a testing target of 295 to win, Marcus Trescothick and Dean Elgar added 29 for the first wicket before the South African international - who made a crucial century in the first innings - was trapped leg before by Kyle Jarvis for 8.

Tom Abell was next to go, with the captain caught behind down the leg side for a duck to continue a difficult start to the season which has seen him muster just two runs from four innings.

At this point thoughts may have shifted to saving, rather than winning, the match, and the experienced duo of Marcus Trescothick and James Hildreth joined forces to stem the flow of wickets momentarily in their stand of 40.

Trescothick helped himself to several boundaries off Jimmy Anderson but it was the England bowler who had the last laugh, drawing the 41-year-old into a tentative push outside off-stump which was caught by Ryan McLaren at second slip.

The opener's departure left Somerset struggling on 86-4, and they ended up losing three more wickets in a damaging spell before the tea break.

The key wicket of James Hildreth started the mini-collapse as he was adjudged lbw off McLaren for 43, Peter Trego (7) then drove to first slip and Josh Davey (2) was trapped bang in front from the final ball of the afternoon session to leave the visitors in deep trouble on 107-7.

It got no better for Somerset after tea as Gregory, Jack Leach and Tim Groenewald all departed in quick succession to consign the Cidermen to their second convincing defeat in as many games.