Russell Warren hit 194 to allow his Northamptonshire captain David Ripley to make a challenging declaration on the third day at Old Trafford.

Warren's innings ensured that Northants cruised past a target of 451 to avoid the follow-on with five wickets to spare, although he missed out on the second double century of the match - and his career - when a defensive push at Chris Schofield trickled back on to his stumps.

Ripley, who had supported Warren in a sixth-wicket stand of 116 until he was bowled by Gary Yates for 43, then declared 105 runs behind on 495 for eight, to throw the ball back into Lancashire's court.

They reached 64 without loss at the close, leaving them 169 ahead, but are unlikely to take any chances today on such a good batting pitch, especially against one of their relegation rivals.

Andy Flintoff had given Lancashire the early breakthrough they were looking for, having Tobin Bailey caught at slip to leave Northants 248 for four - still 203 short of that follow-on target.

But Graeme Swann joined Warren to add 104 for the fifth wicket, reaching an entertaining half-century from 69 balls with his second six.

Even when Swann went caught behind off John Wood for 54, Northants were not out of the woods but Ripley and Warren steered them sensibly to safety.

Warren reached his second century of the season from 166 balls and was closing in on his career best of 201 not out against Glamorgan in 1996 until he was bowled by Schofield. His 194 came from 316 balls with 26 fours and a six.

Schofield ended with two for 72 from 21 overs and there were also two wickets each for Lancashire's other spinners, Gary Keedy and Yates, although none of them was particularly impressive.

Crawley then added an unbeaten 41 to the 280 he had scored in the first innings, surviving 23 overs with Mark Chilton with no serious alarms.

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