Durham set 336 to win by Lancs after Coughlin ton

Paul Coughlin came in with Lancashire reeling on 72-6 [Getty Images] Rothesay County Championship, Division Two, Banks Homes Riverside (day three) Lancashire 370: Harris 146 & 260-9 dec: Coughlin 100*; Raine 3-50 Durham 295: Potts 66; Bailey 3-68 Durham (4 pts) need 336 more runs to beat Lancashire (6 pts) Match scorecard Lancashire's Paul Coughlin came back to haunt his former county Durham, as he hit his second first-class century to put his side in the ascendency on the third day of their County Championship fixture. Lancashire came into the day on top, holding a first innings lead of 75 after bowling Durham out for 295 on day two, but they were left reeling after Matthew Potts blew away their top order to leave them 72-6. However, a partnership of 131 between Michael Jones and Coughlin halted the slide for the Red Rose, as they both passed fifty and built a big lead for the visitors.

Jones fell after tea but Coughlin notched three figures for the first time in a Lancashire shirt and they declared on 260-9, setting Durham a target of 336 to win. With Lancashire looking to build on their first innings lead of 75, Durham needed quick wickets in the morning and they managed to get George Balderson cheaply, as he was caught behind off the bowling of James Minto. Durham continued to probe and they got a second soon after as Ben Raine removed Keaton Jennings, after he edged one to Kasey Aldridge at second slip, who produced a stunning diving catch.

First innings centurion Marcus Harris then came to the crease and ticked Lancashire's lead past 100, but he was not there for long as he was caught behind off the bowling of Potts. The England bowler then had another just three balls later as he bowled Josh Bohannon, with the Lancashire man leaving an inswinger that clattered into his stumps. Potts had a third when Matty Hurst edged to second slip to leave Durham in dreamland, but Jones and injury substitute George Bell managed to get Lancashire to lunch without further loss.

Jones and Bell's aim in the first exchanges of the afternoon was to protect their wickets and they did just that as they successfully negotiated the first half-hour after lunch. However, Bell then departed after he edged a Raine delivery to second slip. Lancashire's lead ticked over 150 with a rare boundary on the leg side from Coughlin, who looked to be more proactive than his team-mates at the crease.