FORMER table-toppers Worcestershire Royals are facing the threat of relegation from the Norwich Union National League Division One after crashing to a disappointing two-wicket defeat against Lancashire Lightning at New Road yesterday.

The bottom-of-the-table visitors boosted their hopes of survival by clinching a thrilling win with a last ball boundary by Ian Austin off Richard Illingworth.

Facing a victory target of 189, they began the final nerve-jangling over needing five runs to pick up maximum points.

Illingworth's first ball yielded a single to Glen Chapple while his next two deliveries were unproductive.

Two further singles left Austin to notch two off the final ball. He responded in dramatic style with a confidently struck straight drive to the rails.

It was Lancashire's fourth victory of the season and plunged the County into relegation worries following a dismal sequence of results.

The last time they triumphed in the competition was on June 24 when they beat Somerset Sabres by four runs at Taunton.

Since then they have had two weather-hit no results and five defeats.

Lancashire's victory chase got off to an uncertain start when they slipped to 44-3 before being lifted by a 49-run stand in ten overs between Mark Chilton (37) and Neil Fairbrother (35).

A further boost was provided by Chapple and Chris Schofield (34) who added 32 in four overs for the eighth wicket to set up the nail-biting finish in which Chapple remained unbeaten on 15.

Earlier, Worcestershire, after winning the toss, had been forced to settle for a total of 188-8 with paceman Andrew Flintoff being Lancashire's most productive bowler with figures of 3-39.

The County were particularly grateful to rookie batsman Ryan Driver and acting captain Steve Rhodes.

Driver made as career-best 52 while Rhodes chipped in with a valuable 48 not out.

After Worcestershire had slid to 35-3, Driver began to pep his side's flagging fortunes along with David Leather-dale. They put on 60 in 20 overs before Leatherdale moved up the wicket to Schofield and was stumped by Warren Hegg for 24.

Driver, however, continued to flourish before falling to medium-pacer Gary Keedy after hitting five fours off 95 balls.

One run earlier he had been dropped at deep mid-wicket by Flintoff off Sourav Ganguly.

Driver's departure left Worcestershire on 143-6, a tally which was improved by Rhodes with his undefeated knock which included four fours off 35 balls.