Lawton began his profession on the Western Each day Press in 1993 earlier than becoming a member of the Each day Specific after which The Each day Telegraph. He moved to the Each day Mail in 2002 and was chief soccer correspondent and government sport editor earlier than turning into chief sports activities reporter. In September 2019 he joined The Occasions.

Lawton was named Sports activities Information Reporter of the Yr on the British Sports activities Journalism Awards in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Sports activities Journalist of the Yr on the British Press Awards in 2015, and Sports activities Journalist of the Yr on the British Journalism Awards in 2016.