A century from Alex Davies resisted strong bursts from Northamptonshire’s bowlers with the visitors finishing Day 2 still trailing by 231 with 6 wickets in hand.

Coming into the day 334 for 5 Northamptonshire’s thoughts of posting a giant first innings total took a hit as they two early wickets in the morning session. Adam Rossington ddin’t add to his overnight score of 76 when Onions produced a feather edge through to the keeper, Hutton only adding 1 before Gleeson found the top of his off stump. Coles and Procter began to steady but the loanee fell looking to up the ante, bowled by Onions for 5.

Not for the first time this season, Nathan Buck lead a wag of the tail. With the fourth batting point in the bag at 350, Buck regularly found the boundary with Procter in a supporting role. The pair took the total past 400 in a partnership worth 61 before Parry slid one through Buck’s defence for 39. Ben Sanderson also played a useful hand with the bat, adding a further with Procter 29 before he was bowled by Gleeson for 13. Luke Procter left 48 not out for the second time against Lancashire this year as Northamptonshire finished with 442.

Ben Sanderson picked up where he left off against Sussex, claiming two early scalps to reduce the visitors to 2 for 2 inside 5 overs. Jennings departed for a nine ball duck, edging low to Richard Levi at second slip. Hameed also gone without scoring, his innings lasting eight balls before he chopped on to a loose waft outside off.

Lancashire steadied though, lead by Davies who played positively throughout the afternoon session. He raised 50 in 59 balls to take Lancashire into tea 98 without further loss. Rob Keogh came into the attack and had two wickets in quick time. Jones trying to loft down the ground but miscuing to Procter for 44, Bohannon lasting just five balls before he edged to Vasconcelos at slip. There’d be no further joy for Northamptonshire though as Davies raised a century and Lancashire went through to the close still 4 down, 211 on the board and trailing by 231

Northamptonshire 442 (Bavuma 103, Vasconcelos 77)

Lancashire 211/4 (Keogh 2/30, Sanderson 2/33)

Full scorecard.