LV= County Championship: Lancashire close gap on Northamptonshire

Luke Procter: Claimed 4-39 to help Lancashire wrap up victory inside three days

Andrew Hall: His half-century helped hold up the hosts at Old Trafford

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Lancashire completed an eight-wicket victory over Division Two promotion rivals Northamptonshire inside two days at Old Trafford.

Having been bowled out for 62 on the opening day, table-topping Northamptonshire were dismissed for 169 second time around to leave their opponents needing just 73.
Despite the early loss of Luke Procter, Ashwell Prince (38) and Luis Reece (22 not out) helped guide the Red Rose county towards the finishing line.
Prince actually fell with just two runs required but Simon Katich (1 no) came out to see Lancashire - who now trail their opponents by 17 points in the standings - home after claiming the extra half hour on Friday evening.
It looked as if an innings victory could be on the cards when they reduced their opponents to 80-7 having started the day at the crease themselves.
An unbeaten 35 from Tom Smith helped Lancashire improve their overnight score of 121-8 to 159 by the time they were bowled out, meaning a first innings lead of 97, Azharullah claiming the final two wickets to finish with 4-42.
Northamptonshire were soon in trouble at the start of their second innings with Kyle Coetzer, David Sales and James Middlebrook all gone by lunch.
Robert Keogh did not last long after the interval as he played a Smith delivery on to his stumps and seven overs later Alex Wakely (17) cut Procter to Prince at point.
Procter struck again when Steven Crook chipped him to mid-wicket and David Willey tamely lobbed a Smith delivery straight to Glen Chapple at mid-on for five.
Andrew Hall (55) and David Murphy (50) delayed the inevitable with an eighth-wicket stand of 89, though the final three wickets went down with the score stuck on 169. Procter claimed two of them to end with figures of 4-39.