County Championship: Dan Lawrence ton helps Essex get the upper hand against Lancashire

LV= County Championship Division One, Stanley Park, Blackpool (Day Three) Essex 282: Westley 135; Bailey 6-59 & 292-8: Lawrence 135Lancashire 144: Bohannon 44; S Cook 4-42Essex (4 pts) leads Lancashire (3 pts) by 429 runsMatch scorecard

Restarted 37-1 after a 45-minute delay for rain in response to the first - innings 282, Red Rose's hopes of battling all day and building a lead were dashed by Sam Cook (4-42) and Paul Walter (3-20) as Lancashire collapsed to 145. /p>

Will Williams knocked out both Essex openers in the second innings, including Alastair Cook for his second duck of the season (the first was also against Lancashire in April) gave the hosts a glimmer of hope.

But the visitors rallied to close 292-8 with a 429-run lead going into the final day thanks to a brilliant century from England Test man Lawrence who was out until the last ball of the day for 135.

Rob Jones landed a wide shot from Doug Bracewell before Walter n 'brings Josh Bohannon's key wicket to the leg slip for 44.

Colin de Grandhomme was then trapped in front by Cook second ball, Tom Hartley was well caught on the first slip ball, and Jack Blatherwick also went without scoring.

Four wickets left for two runs. But Phil Salt hit 35 paces in tandem with Tom Bailey to take Lancashire beyond the follow-up goal.

With a lead of 137, Essex then lost first Nick Browne and former England skipper Cook, second ball, quickly f...