County Championship: Marshall and Handscomb hit half-centuries

Hamish Marshall's 74 not out is his second half-century of the match, having made 58 in the first innings

Gloucestershire's Hamish Marshall and Peter Handscomb made unbeaten half-centuries on a evenly-matched third day against Lancashire in Division Two.

Resuming on 276-6, Paul Horton (168) added 34 to his overnight score, while Peter Siddle made 40 as Lancashire picked up a fourth batting point.

Siddle then took two early wickets to leave Gloucestershire 30-2.

Handscomb (74 not out) and Marshall (71 out out) helped the visitors to a lead of 230 at the close.

Gloucestershire looked in trouble when seamer Siddle, in his final appearance of the season for Lancashire before he joins up with the Australia squad, struck twice to bowl Chris Dent for nine and trap Gareth Roderick lbw for four.

But Handscomb and Marshall saw out almost 40 overs between them before stumps and, barring a batting collapse from either side on the final day, the game appears to be petering out towards a draw.