Middlesex batsmen take charge.

Middlesex closed with a healthy total of 275-3, leading by nine runs as they thwarted the hopes of Lancashire on the second day of their visit to Lord's.

Dawid Malan led proceedings with 92 and was supported well by England hopeful, Eoin Morgan (76*) as he added claim to his cause to recapture a place in the international set-up this summer.

The pair struck 71 runs for the third-wicket after opener, Sam Robson, provided further frustration to the Lancashire bowlers with his third half-century of the season, also laying claim to a role in Peter Moores' plans.

Lancashire had made their highest first innings total of the season yesterday with 266, also earning two valuable batting points and claimed a critical wicket early on. Middlesex captain, Chris Rogers (1), feathered the ball down the leg-side off Kyle Hogg's second ball of the season, making an immediate impact on his return to the squad after a calf injury.

But this breakthrough proved to be a fleeting moment of elation for the visitors after Robson and Malan amassed 107 runs for the second-wicket to establish a dangerous start to the innings. This set the tone for a successful day with the bat for the hosts, but further progress was halted by two seemingly avoidable run outs at crucial stages.

After bringing up an 88-ball fifty Robson became the first of these casualties and Malan was denied a well-earned century when Morgan's call resulted in him being comfortably run out. This comical occurrence came after a useful partnership worth 71 runs, but this was to be the final wicket of the day at 181-3 as Morgan and Neil Dexter added an unbeaten stand worth 94 to perpetuate Lancashire's struggle.

The visitors total soon seemed insufficient, with Middlesex taking a minimal lead into the third day after Morgan made his second half-century of the season in just 76 deliveries.

Dexter played a pivotal role yesterday, claiming career-best figures of 6-63 and demonstrated his all-round capabilities with an unbeaten score of 44 before bad light intervened in the evening session to bring play to an early finish.