MIKE Watkinson took a huge step towards his goal of earning a new Lancashire contract with a vital century at Old Trafford yesterday.

Lancashire were in trouble at 108-4 when Watkinson joined Mark Chilton, still needing another 147 runs to avoid the follow on against Northants.

But the vastly experienced Watkinson teamed up with Chilton, who has made such a promising start as an opener, for a fifth wicket stand of 146, allowing John Crawley to declare on 350-6, 54 runs behind, in an attempt to set up a decent finish today.

It was Watkinson's eleventh championship century in his 18th season with the club, but only his second in the last four years. "It's the first time in my career that I have not had my contract renewed before going into its final season and that does exert some pressure on you," he said. "Age is obviously a factor, but I am confident I can still do a job." Watkinson may be 37, but he remains one of the fittest players at Old Trafford - although, ironically, yesterday's century came even though he was suffering from a hamstring injury which prevented him from bowling on Saturday and forced him to have treatment at the end of the innings.

He was also grateful to the sportsmanship of Northants' Aussie captain Matthew Hayden, who called him back to the crease after he had apparently been run out following a mix up with Chilton early in his innings.

Watkinson had been accidentally obstructed by the bowler, young off spinner Graeme Swann, after he was called for a single to mid on by Chilton, and said: "All credit to Northants for admitting that."

Earlier there had been failures for John Crawley, Paddy McKeown and Graham LLoyd - who are all still looking for their first championship 50 of the season - but thanks mainly to Watkinson and the consistent Chilton, who made 102, Lancashire were able to pick up the maximum four batting points before declaring after exactly 100 overs. NORTHANTS

First innings

M Loye c Hegg b Green...100

R Warren c Chilton b Martin...16

D Sales b Chapple...96

A Pemberty b Keedy...33

G Swann b Keedy...36

D Ripley not out...29

J Taylkor b Chapple...19

Extras...30

Total (8wkts dec 130.1 overs)...404

Bowling: Martin 34-10-82-1; Chapple 35.1-11-70-3; Gree 29-5-104-1; Watkinson 5-1-18-1; Keedy 25-1-103-2; Chilton 2-0-7-0.

Second Innings

R Bailey not out...25

M Hayden not out...14

Extras...3

Total (0wkts, 12 0vers)...42 LANCASHIRE

First innings

N Wood lbw Follett...15

M Chilton b Swann...102

J Crawley c Ripley b Follett...19

P McKeown c Ripley b Malcolm...2

G Lloyd b Swann...12

M Watkinson c Sales b Swann...116

W Hegg not ouy...37

G Chapple not out...21

Extras...26

Total (6wkts dec, 100 overs)...350

Bowling: Malcolm 20-5-68-1; Taylor 26-5-76-0; Follett 17-3-54-2; Swann 22-5-88-3; Sales 1-0-1-0; Pemberty 14-5-49-0.

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