ADAM Hickey's first two first-class wickets were Durham's only reward on a scorching afternoon at Southport as Luke Procter ground his way to a 235-ball century.

The 28-year-old left-hander from Oldham was on 109 at tea, when Lancashire led by 157 on 244 for five.

He might have been run out three times and was missed by Michael Richardson on 92, when he edged a cut off Hickey.

His biggest let-off was on 73, when a stop-start single to mid-on would have seen him stranded but for the combination of a moderate throw and a Hickey fumble.

Procter had only eight fours in his hundred and Lancashire's attritional approach has left any result possible, even the draw which seemed highly unlikely on the first day.

Southport regulars expect it to spin lavishly on the final day, but while Hickey and Scott Borthwick found some turn it was not enough to cause alarm.

Steven Croft was Hickey's maiden victim, driving to deep mid-on, then Karl Brown popped up a catch to Keaton Jennings at short leg.

Tom Moores had made only one when he drove Borthwick for a straight six and he had survived nine overs of the new ball in reaching 15 at tea.