Tom Helm is back and across to Jack Carson to cut the off spinner through point for one to take Middlesex to 250 in 42 overs.

But with Yorkshire going so well at Headingley, Middlesex would need their promotion rivals to get bowled out for under 350 to keep the promotion door even slightly ajar.

James Wharton is back in the middle on 82 not out and he'll face the first ball of the session, bowled by Ben Sanderson.

Adam Lyth is unbeaten on 127 at the other end.

41 overs left if the light allows.

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire

After a season of struggles with the bat, which has yielded just 15 batting bonus points all season and without an opening partnership of 50 since the middle of May, it's probably fitting that Lancashire's first innings is likely to confirm their relegation.

Getting to 250 just to keep the fight alive a little longer looks beyond the Red Rose.

Lancashire are now facing their fourth relegation since winning the County Championship title in 2011.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

I am wondering if Durham may declare at tea. They have been in a hurry during the latter part of the afternoon session.

It was clear from the moment David Bedingham came out to bat there was intention. He hit 66 in 38 balls and put on 99 with Alex Lees in no time.

He was out tying to go for his seventh six, but top-edged to Marcus O'Riordan at mid-on, off the bowling of Matt Parkinson. Moments later Alex Lees fell for 144, the victim of a great diving catch at mid-wicket by Jas Singh. Grant Stewart was the bowler.

Ollie Robinson was then out for five and Bas De Leede got a 12-ball duck. The only thing I can think is Durham are trying to push this game along at pace having lost the first two days of the match.

James Coles will bowl to Sam Robson, who is unbeaten on 103.

Luke Hollman is at the other end on 15.

If the light holds we have 44 overs left tonight.

We don't need to worry about rain. Not this time.

Lancashire are still hanging in there, with George Balderson and Tom Bailey adding 28 so far for the eighth wicket - but any sniff of batting bonus points remains a long way off.

And an oddity here - the visitors go to tea with exactly the same score that Worcestershire began on this morning!

We'll have time for one more over before tea, bowled by left-arm spinner Saif Zaib and his fifth ball is leg side and tucked away fine by James Wharton for four.

He gets a single off the next ball to keep the strike and move to 82.

The second wicket partnership with Adam Lyth (127*) is worth 213 and that's a record second-wicket stand against Northants.

A nice personal landmark for Will Rhodes, who pulled Rob Lord to the boundary in the final over before tea to bring up 1,000 first-class runs for the season - his last one with the Midlands county.

Rhodes has batted almost an hour and a half for his 19 not out, with Sam Hain on 31 at the other end.

Image source, Rex Features

400 up for Essex against Surrey.

The hosts are now 404-2 at Chelmsford with Dean Elgar 169 not out and Matt Critchley on 78.

Kent are fighting back with the ball at Chester-le-Street. Durham have fallen from 289-2 to 306-6, Alex Lees one of those four wickets to fall for 144.

Gloucestershire, chasing 382 to beat Glamorgan, are struggling on 109-4.

Leicestershire have made a good start in their game against East Midlands rivals Derbyshire. They're 159-2.

Middlesex raced out of the blocks after a delayed start this afternoon, at times scoring at a run a ball, which is rapid for Championship cricket.

At one stage they were 181-3 in the 29th over.

But from that point Sussex took three wickets in four overs in a age of play that pushes Middlesex further away from the second promotion spot.

Two wickets each for Jaydev Unadkat and James Coles.

Sam Robson is still there however on 103 off just 92 balls.

Nervous moments for both George Balderson and Tom Bailey, but they remain at the crease to keep Lancashire's faint flame of hope burning for now.

Balderson edged Joe Leach just short of second slip, while Bailey aimed a pull shot at Logan van Beek and missed, but the ball whistled over his stumps.

In theory, we still have 45 overs to be bowled today - light permitting - and a lot could happen in that time.

Four more runs from Adam Lyth, back and across to cut Luke Procter through backward point.

That's the innings 200 in 40.1 overs.

He hasn't quite had everything his own way but Lyth and Yorkshire are still emphatically winning the day's play - and indeed winning the promotion race as well.

Classy stroke by Sam Hain brings up the 50 partnership with Will Rhodes, caressing a Rob Lord half-volley to the cover fence.

Hain has dominated the partnership, scoring 30 of them and probably helped to settle a few nerves in the Bears camp after losing both openers early on.

Middlesex 200 in 35.1 overs as Sam Robson tucks a leg side ball from Jack Carson around the corner for one.

Luke Hollman goes for the slog sweep two balls later and smashes the off spinner square for six.

How many times have we seen that shot today? Well..several.

Liam Dawson deals the final blow via the hands of Archie Vaughan who drops him for two as Hampshire then reach 121-5.

Dawson finishes 44*.

Hampshire clinch second place behind Surrey.

Somerset must wait for the result of the Essex v Surrey game to see if they stay third.