A SEVENTH-wicket stand between Daryl Mitchell and Gareth Andrew helped Worcestershire post a competitive first-innings total of 334 during a rain-affected second day of their LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Lancashire at Old Trafford.

The duo had united late on day one and batted through yesterday’s morning session and then a small part of the evening session following afternoon rain to share an innings-high partnership of 96 inside 34 overs.

But despite their solid position in the contest at its halfway stage, there will no doubt be a tinge of regret in the away dressing room having lost their last four wickets for 19 runs in 31 balls to enable the hosts to begin their reply before close.

Lancashire will resume day three on 42 without loss, with Paul Horton unbeaten on 16 and Luke Procter on 24 not out.

All-rounder Procter had earlier returned the pick of his side’s bowling figures with four for 58.

Worcester skipper Mitchell, batting at number seven, recovered from the illness that prevented him from opening at the start of the match to post a watchful 74 off 169 balls and Andrew added a useful 100-ball 52.

Third man was a productive area for the latter who, after rain had wiped out the afternoon session, was one of the last four wickets to go.

The Pears had resumed after a second rain delay on 301 for six from 120 overs and were eventually bowled out inside 132 as Glen Chapple and Procter equally shared the wickets to fall during day two.

Mitchell, who brought up his 50 off 101 balls before lunch, and Andrew made slow progress even though the latter lofted left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan over mid-wicket for six during the early stages of play.

Both sides missed out on bonus points — Lancashire one and Worcestershire two.

There was a brief stoppage for rain during the morning session and no play possible during the afternoon, with a total of 39 overs lost in the day.

When play resumed at 4.30pm, the floodlights were used for the first time in Championship cricket at Old Trafford. That coincided with the clatter of wickets but not before Andrew posted his half-century off 96 balls.

Mitchell was caught behind off Chapple in the 127th over before Andrew slashed a Procter delivery to a tumbling Wayne White at deep cover point in the 130th.

Chapple then bowled Chris Russell for a duck in the following over and Procter had David Lucas caught behind to wrap up the innings.