LANCASHIRE director of cricket Paul Allott has described the pitch being used for his side's ongoing County Championship match in Taunton as "disappointing, below average and verging on poor."

The wicket came under the spotlight after 22 wickets fell on the first day's play - 13 of them to spin.

Speaking to BBC Lancashire, Allott said: "I firmly believe that is not the best possible pitch that could have been prepared for this game.

"I will say that there was some indifferent batting and Somerset edged us in performance but, to be honest, that pitch is below average and verging on poor in my view.

"It looks like a fifth day Test match pitch. It's worn, it's pitted and there are some areas in it that are obviously hugely conducive for spin bowling."

Somerset head coach Jason Kerr said at the close of play last night: ""I'm not worried at all [about sanctions].

"I think it was a good cricket wicket. You would look at it from afar, see that Jack Leach got 5-28 this morning and make assumptions, but if you look at the manner of his dismissals they are different to what we are used to. He would also be the first to admit he was not at his best this morning.

"There was some poor cricket played which you cannot put down to the surface.

"Lancashire will be disgruntled but we have seen wickets improve as matches have gone on here this season so we will see what happens tomorrow.

"It's not a poor surface if your 10th-wicket pair are adding 55, as ours did. They showed that if you apply yourselves, and are aggresive at the right time, there are runs to be scored."

Allott, however, went on: "It's not my perogative to agree or disagree with what Jason Kerr says.

"It's disappointing to come all the way to Taunton and be confronted with these conditions."

Lancashire lost a wicket early on day two, paceman Craig Overton pinning Karl Brown lbw as Somerset continued to press home their advantage.