Law's side are second in Division One of the County Championship

Captain Stuart Law has accepted that Lancashire's Twenty20 exit may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

After being set 177 to win, the Lightning went down to a 12-run defeat to Middlesex at the Oval on Tuesday, only mustering 164-8.

Law told BBC Radio Manchester: "We can now concentrate on the Championship cricket coming up which is probably a good thing for us.

Lancashire travel to Hampshire in the County Championship on Friday.

Andrew Flintoff top-scored for the Lightning with 53 off 45 balls, Kyle Hogg (24 not out) and Glen Chapple (22) were the only other men to make meaningful contributions.

"We thought 176 was gettable on, as usual at the Oval, a fantastic wicket which just seemed to get better and better," said Law.

"Freddie [Flintoff] showed this and if he hadn't got a knee-high full toss down leg-side, straight to deep square leg, it might have been a different story.

"If he had batted for another two or three overs, who knows what might have happened."