YORKSHIRE’S director of cricket Martyn Moxon has conceded his side are in a relegation battle in the LV=County Championship.

This is after the Tykes succumbed to a heavy ten wicket defeat to Somerset at Taunton.

It leaves the White Rose third bottom of the Division One table after seven games – but with the two sides below them having played a match less, Moxon pulled no punches when he was asked if his side were now embroiled in a fight to stay in the top flight.

He said. “We cannot get away from the fact that we are in one. We have got to pull ourselves together and try to put a complete performance together.”

“At the moment we are putting in part performances and we need to put in a complete batting and bowling performance. That is the only way we are going to get a victory.

“I am confident we can turn this around though. There is enough to suggest we are competing, but it is very, very frustrating that we are not taking advantage of the good positions we are getting ourselves into.”

Moxon’s comments came after the county’s heaviest defeat of the 2011 season was confirmed in chastening style.

Having begun the final day with a lead of 155 runs, on 249 for six, they began another blustery day’s action in the worst possible way, when York-based Jonny Bairstow departed inside the first over without adding to his overnight score of 80.

This seemed to set the tone of the day, with Somerset on top, as the Tykes added only 72 more runs to their total to be bowled out for 321, as Adil Rashid ran out of partners to close on an unbeaten 50.

It meant Somerset were set 228 to win from 51 overs and, thanks mainly to Marcus Trescothick, they achieved it with ease.

So often the scourge of the Tykes recently, having averaged 91.25 in his previous eight innings, he ended with 151 not out to see his side home with 65 balls to spare.

Rashid bore the brunt of his brutal knock, ending with figures of 0-88 from his 10.1 overs, with Arul Suppiah also impressing to end on 67 not out.

It meant the pair ended the game with two successive double-century partnerships in the match, after plundering a stand of 257 in the first-innings, with Trescothick hitting the winning runs from a misfield to complete the Tykes misery.

Yorkshire will certainly be hoping for better in their next Championship game against Sussex – which starts tomorrow.