Chris Adams believes Sussex can still retain the Championship after they thrashed favourites Lancashire to move off the bottom of the table.

The county wrapped up their first win at Old Trafford for 12 years when they completed an eight-wicket victory after dismissing Lancashire for 297 in their second innings before knocking off their victory target of 42 to move into mid-table in Division One.

Adams said: "Of course we can still win the title.

"There was a bit of doom and gloom about the place because we hadn't won any of the first six games but we had only lost once so there wasn't any need to panic.

"It's a cracking first division this season because it's so wide open with every team capable of beating another.

"If you get on a roll then anything can happen as we found out last season.

"Winning at Old Trafford has given us a great boost and if we can get another one at Arundel then we'll be in great shape going into the break for the Twenty20 Cup matches in July."

A second successive defeat is a big blow to Lancashire's hopes of a first outright title since 1934 and under-pressure skipper Warren Hegg admitted his side had been outplayed.

He said: "It's simple really. They bowled, batted and fielded better than us. Normally we have specific plans for teams and players, but we just seemed to go out there and bowl.

"Sussex are a good side and will challenge again, but we're not panicking.

"The competition will boil down to what happens in the last six weeks of the season."

The Sussex skipper, however, was forced to defend fast bowler Mohammad Akram after he had to be removed from the attack for bowling waist-high beamers during the champions' crushing victory.

Umpire Vanburn Holder stepped in halfway through Akram's 16th over after he struck Gary Keedy on the hand having hit Carl Hooper earlier in his spell during morning play.

Akram has been in hot water already this season after he received a level two disciplinary penalty for ball-tampering during last month's match against Warwickshire, an accusation he strenuously denies.

Adams added: "I don't think there is anything for Mohammad to worry about. Batsmen on both sides have struggled because there are windows at one end which are just above the sight-screens but in your line of vision.

"When you are bowling at his pace there is a very small margin for error. He got Mark Chilton out on Thursday with a ball which was just a few inches lower.

"I've got no complaints about the decision. The umpires agreed that there was no intent but the law is there to protect batsmen from getting serious injury and Mohammad has to take his medicine."

The incident certainly did not dampen Sussex celebrations after they collected their first Championship win at the seventh attempt.

It was no coincidence the county took 20 wickets for the first time this season by fielding their strongest bowling attack.

Adams added: "We've wanted to play this attack for some time because it gives us all the options we need.

"Akram has outright pace, (James) Kirtley is a proven wicket-taker, (Jason) Lewry offers variety as a left-armer and Robin Martin-Jenkins has been consistently our best seamer so far this season."

Then there is leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who claimed his first five-wicket haul of the season as Lancashire, who began the third day on 148-4, lost a further four wickets before they had cleared their arrears.

Night-watchman Keedy, having just been hit by Akram, was caught behind as he slashed the next delivery, but it was Mushtaq who claimed the crucial wicket of Hooper.

The West Indian had his thumb broken by an Akram lifter when the sides met in the C&G Trophy a fortnight ago and was clearly struggling with the injury here.

He still cracked two sixes and five fours in a 58-ball half-century before Mushtaq trapped him leg before offering no shot.

There were cameos from Glenn Chapple and Sajid Mahmood but both perished to catches in the deep throwing the bat at Mushtaq while skipper Warren Hegg played on to Lewry and Akram held a swirling catch off Kirtley to remove Dominic Cork.

Mushtaq's tally for the season now stands at 27 compared to 52 at this stage last summer, but Adams is delighted with him.

He said: "Mushy was never going to get 100 wickets again. You would expect good batsmen to have worked out a way of playing him and that has been the case.

"He's not been in the best of rhythm either but he's doing fine and he will get better.

"If he gets 70 wickets this season I'll be delighted."

Lancashire 214 and 297
Sussex 470 and 44 for 2