Lancashire v Hampshire: Paul Horton puts Lancs on brink of win

Lancashire enhanced their promotion prospects with another dominant display on day three of their Division Two fixture against Hampshire at Southport.

The visitors, set 496 for an unlikely win, were 137-7 at the close.

A first century of 2013 for Paul Horton (111) allowed Lancashire to declare on 284-5, while Hampshire's 16-year-old spinner Brad Taylor took 4-64.

Lancashire ripped through Hampshire's top order and need three more wickets to secure an eighth win of the season.

Despite a first-innings lead of 211, Lancashire did not enforce the follow-on late on day two and pushed for quick runs on the third morning.

Openers Horton and Luis Reece (65) put on 166 in 31 overs for the first wicket, while Ashwell Prince (38) and Andrea Agathangelou (28) helped to set up a declaration during the afternoon session.

Hampshire made a shocking start to their mammoth run chase, losing skipper Jimmy Adams, Liam Dawson and Michael Roberts before tea.

Kyle Hogg and Simon Kerrigan claimed two wickets apiece for the home side, who did not claim the extra half-hour at the end of play, but will expect to wrap up an easy victory on Saturday.

Match scorecard