Kent were on the brink of victory in their LV County Championship Division One clash with Lancashire despite Mark Chilton's century for the visitors at Canterbury.

James Tredwell and Robbie Joseph took two wickets apiece as the Red Rose county were reduced to 242 for eight at lunch - meaning the visitors still needed 234 runs with just two wickets standing.

Resuming on 161 for four, Lancashire progressed steadily with Chilton moving on to 102 before he became Tredwell's first victim of the day with the score on 225.

Stuart Law (nought), Luke Sutton (34) and Glen Chapple (12) all fell, leaving Lancashire on the brink of defeat.

Bottom side Surrey had a woeful morning in their clash with Sussex as they lost five wickets at The Brit Oval.

Ollie Rayner claimed three wickets as the bottom side lost four wickets for just nine runs. Resuming on 77 for two, the hosts made just seven more runs before losing Jon Batty for 24 and James Benning for a duck with Mark Ramprakash (43) out with just two further runs on the board.

Alex Tudor was next out for five before Matthew Nicholson at least offered some resistance with 27 as he, along with Usman Afzaal, guided the hosts to 151 for seven at lunch - a lead of 278.

In Division Two, Stephen Moore was out just before lunch after reaching a half-century as leaders Worcestershire made good progress in their clash with Essex at Colchester. Moore scored four boundaries and one six as the visitors reached 102 for one alongside Daryl Mitchell, who was unbeaten on 49 leaving Worcestershire requiring 245 runs for victory.

Murali Kartik and Alan Richardson both ended up with four wickets apiece as Middlesex bowled out Leicestershire at Lord's. Resuming on 475 for five, the hosts were all out for 533 with HD Ackerman missing out on his double century, falling six runs short. Joshua Cobb ended the day unbeaten on 148.

Middlesex's quest to avoid defeat was not helped when Dan Housego was dismissed for just six, giving Dillon Du Preez reward for a great spell with ball before lunch with figures of 5-4-1-1. The hosts took lunch on 18 for one off 10 overs.