GARETH Batty insists Worcestershire owe it to the club's suffering supporters to beat Lancashire in tomorrow's do-or-die relegation New Road decider.

The totesport League showdown is hugely consequential for both counties, with the winners preserving their top tier status and the losing side crashing to Division Two.

For Worcestershire, overcoming their red rose rivals would provide some solace after an essentially second-rate season on all fronts.

A terrible run of form in the County Championship wasted a promising promotion shout and means another year in the second division, while their Twenty20 and C&G Trophy campaigns proved short-term.

A tense affair is more than likely with plenty at stake, but vice-captain Batty is positive Worcestershire can hold their nerve, like they did against Lancashire in the 2003 C&G semi-final.

"We've got to make sure we are all on top form," said spinner Batty. "Our destiny is in our own hands and we've got to be mentally strong.

"At times this year, our performances have not been good. We are striving to make sure it does not happen to us again against Lancashire.

"It would be nice to finish the season with a win and stay up after what has been an indifferent season. Just to finish on a small high will be a big positive for our supporters.

"We've let people down this year. We failed to get the club promoted in the County Championship and we should be disappointed that we did not press on from the good start that we made.

"Everybody is judged on performances and results and rightly so.

"As players, we want to play against the best players week in week out. We are desperate to keep Worcestershire in the first division."

Lancashire are in disastrous form, losing their last four one-day league encounters, including the Old Trafford day-nighter against Worcestershire.

Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff is unavailable, but Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds presents a big danger.

Despite below-par seasons, the Royals will look for big runs from experienced duo Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki.

Batty added: "There's not been a lot to choose between the two teams this year, although Lancashire have possibly been more consistent in the four-day game.

"Obviously, they have got a couple of dangerous players. Andrew Symonds is a terrific player, but we've got dangerous players of our own in Vikram and Hicky.

"There's a few batters who more often than not will get us in a position of strength."