 Lawton made his debut for Derbyshire in the 1900 season and remained with the team until 1910.He also played matches for London County from 1900 to 1903 and for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from 1905 to 1914.Lawton captained Derbyshire between 1902 and 1905, although for part of 1904 Maynard Ashcroft held the captaincy.