Image source, Rex Features

Finally, the weather relented and we were treated to pretty much a full day's cricket - with contrasting emotions on opposite sides of the Pennines.

Lancashire's relegation to Division Two was finally confirmed after they failed to collect any batting bonus points in their game against Worcestershire.

That meant Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, who are facing each other at Trent Bridge, could breathe big sighs of relief as they are both now guaranteed Division One safety.

Just to rub salt into Red Rose wounds... it's Yorkshire who will be taking their place in the top flight after their batting display against Northamptonshire earned them sufficient points to clinch a top-two finish in Division Two.

The Headingley side still have an outside chance of the title on day four, although Sussex are in pole position to secure it themselves - with one more bonus point required against Middlesex at Hove.

So, one more day of County Championship cricket to go before we pack up for the winter! Do join us again tomorrow as we bring you all the action from 10:15 BST.

Apparently the sun doesn't set here till nearly 7pm!

Callum Parkinson deflects Jas Singh into the on side. No run.

A pause in play. We now have two slips, a leg slip, silly mid off, silly mid on and a forward short leg.

No pressure then.

Callum Parkinson defends into the off side.

The last ball is safely blocked and that is the end of a Day Three that is really a Day One after the rain and damp wiped out Thursday and Friday.

Durham dominating after a century from Alex Lees (144) and 66 from David Bedingham.

Jack Leaning survives on 31 not out.

Finally, some cricket in this all-East Midlands clash today - and it's a fairly even affair at stumps.

Sol Budinger's knock of 87 and Liam Trevaskis, with 57, gave the home side a strong start before Derbyshire pegged them back, with skipper David Lloyd taking 3-42.

Well, we finally managed to get the best part of a day's cricket today, with close to 400 runs scored and 12 wickets going down.

Middlesex had to try and force the pace in case Yorkshire slipped up - but that didn't happen and now the only issue to be decided on day four is whether Sussex can pick up the extra bonus point they need to be certain of the Division Two title.

They need another 138 runs to be sure of that, with Tom Haines 53 not out at the close and Tom Alsop on 11.

It's been spin at both ends for a while now, with Luke Hollman and Josh de Caires operating in tandem but, despite the fading light, we should get these last two overs of the day in.

Sussex are inching towards securing the Division Two title at some point tomorrow, while Middlesex now know they'll be competing at this level again next season following Yorkshire's batting performance up at Headingley.

Jonathan Doidge
BBC Radio Leeds cricket commentator

"That is it! James Wharton and Will Luxton punch gloves as he strokes one down to long off.

A third batting point.

But so much more importantly, they are back in Division One in 2025."

Not surprising. To get within five overs of the allocation was a very good effort.

Will Yorkshire declare or bat on? We'll find out tomorrow.

But for now, here's that moment as described by Jonathan Doidge on BBC Leeds...

50 for Tom Hainespublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 28 September

18:11 BST 28 September

Sussex 108-2 v Middlesex 271

Image source, Rex Features

A very calm and unhurried knock by Tom Haines, who steers Josh de Caires for a single on the off side to bring up his half-century from 80 balls.

It's the fifth time the left-hander has passed 50 this season and he'll be relieved to have ticked this one off before stumps.

Four overs left tonight.

We're going off. That might be it for tonight.

Personally, I doubt Yorkshire will be particularly perturbed.

James Wharton is applauded off the field for his magnificent unbeaten 162 and don't forget Adam Lyth's superb 163-ball 147 earlier this afternoon.

Will Luxton dug in for a 90-minute 37 not out.

Justin Broad will share the new ball from the Howard Stand End.

He starts off with a full ball wide of off stump which is flayed through cover by Will Luxton for four.

Aha. The umpires are having a chat. Again.

Surrey captain Rory Burns went just before stumps, cutting Simon Harmer straight to Jamie Porter at point.

But this game will end in a draw unless Essex can run through the champions twice on Sunday.

New ball taken by Northantspublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 28 September

18:05 BST 28 September

Yorkshire 367-2 v Northants 147

Well, that was intense. All that nonsense about assuming Yorkshire wouldn't get to 350 tonight...

Never in doubt. Well, actually it was for a while given the gloomy skies.

Two slips in for Jack White, armed with the second new ball and the first ball is carved away off a thick edge through backward point for four.

An LBW shout is turned down. High and too leg side.

Leg bye taken and Will Luxton takes a single to deep cover.

Five overs left tonight.

100 up for Sussexpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 28 September

18:00 BST 28 September

Sussex 102-2 v Middlesex 271

Sussex now know that Yorkshire will be joining them in the top flight next year - but there's still the matter of the Division Two title to be decided.

The home side are inching towards securing that accolade at some stage tomorrow, with Tom Alsop straight driving Tom Helm for four to bring up the 100. Provided they can post 250 or more in this first innings, Sussex will be confirmed as champions.

There are eight overs remaining tonight, although the light is dimming fast.

150 for James Whartonpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 28 September

17:58 BST 28 September

Yorkshire 358-2 v Northants 147

Fateh Singh to James Wharton and there's the single to deep extra cover to reach 150 off 228 balls with 18 fours and two sixes.

He just might remember this innings...

He celebrates next ball with a six down the ground to warm applause.

James Wharton is on 146. Make that 147 as he strokes Saiz Zaib away for one.

Single to Will Luxton off a full toss down the ground.

Wharton is forward and across driving to long off for one more.

Another single to long on for Luxton as the field is set deep.

There it is! Wharton steps back and punches the ball to long off.

350! Three batting points! Promotion to Division One two years after going down by one point.

Applause all round the ground as the announcer confirms promotion.

James Wharton takes a single to point off Fateh Singh.

One slip in for Singh as Will Luxton defends back to the bowler.

So close now! The last ball of the over is clipped off the pads to square leg for four!

Oh come on! The umpires are having a chat.

Given the time of day and the fact we're almost at the end of September, it's no great surprise that the light hasn't improved and there won't be any further play until tomorrow.

Still a chance for Nottinghamshire to finish off their season with a win if they can get among the Warwickshire wickets early in the morning and make them follow on.

But as far as both teams are concerned, they can sleep easy tonight knowing their Division One status for next season is already secured.

Now then! Are Yorkshire going to have a crack at this tonight?

James Wharton takes two successive fours off Fateh Singh, followed by a single to long on.

The first four is whipped through mid wicket from the crease to take the partnership with Will Luxton to 50 in 117 balls.

He repeats the shot next ball with the same result.

James Wharton gets a full toss from Saif Zaib and swings it over deep mid wicket for six. 13 required! You know what we mean, right?

Wharton takes a single in front of square leg.

A quicker, flatter ball is inside edged past the stumps for two.

Wharton is on 145. 10 needed now.

Left arm spinner Saif Zaib is going to have a bowl and concedes just three singles.

Northants may need to keep spin on at both ends to keep this session going, although there's a bit less riding on this game for them than their hosts.

Fateh Singh continues from the other end and his first ball is short and pulled away by James Wharton for four with the ball only just bouncing inside the rope.

An on drive next ball brings one and Will Luxton takes one into the on side off the back foot.