A GUTSY batting display saw Lancashire keep their survival hopes alive on day two of their LV= Championship Division One relegation decider against Middlesex.

Lancashire, who must win and score at least 19 points more than their opponents to avoid the drop, finished 259 for six after 96 overs at Old Trafford.

In the next 14 overs, the Red Rose must now score either 41 runs without losing more than two wickets or 91 runs without losing more than three wickets and go on to win the game.

It means the contest is delicately poised at the halfway point with the pressure firmly on Lancashire’s unbeaten pair Luke Procter (37 not out) and Glen Chapple (21 not out) to hold their nerve on Thursday morning.

Middlesex made an early breakthrough when Paul Horton (seven) was trapped lbw by Tim Murtagh (one for 56) but Lancashire wrestled back the initiative thanks to Luis Reece (45), Ashwell Prince (48) and Steven Croft (60).

Toby Roland-Jones was the most potent of the Middlesex attack with three for 46 but Ravi Patel bowled well and deserved more than his one for 61.

Lancashire lead by 45 runs after bowling Middlesex out for 214 on the opening day.

Sussex pulled away from bottom-side Northamptonshire as Steve Magoffin hit a half-century and took three wickets with the ball.

Resuming on 300 for seven, Magoffin (51) and Ashar Zaidi (88) pushed the visitors to 368 all-out before restricting their opponents to 251 for seven.