Rain threatens to halt Lancashire progress.
Further rain fell on the third day of Lancashire's visit to Leicestershire, and if the predicted forecast for the final day is as daunting as it seems then the Division Two leaders may be unable to seal their sixth victory of the campaign.
Leicestershire still trail by 98 runs in their second innings and have only five wickets remaining, with an innings defeat beckoning.
Lancashire removed the final three first innings wickets, with just 27 runs added to the hosts overnight total of 127-7. Tom Smith was responsible for the bulk of this progress, removing Oliver Freckingham and James Sykes, as he finished with figures of 3-35.
The unstoppable left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan (3-52) then dismissed Matthew Hoggard for no score, allowing a dominant Lancashire side to enforce the follow-on.
Already under the cosh, Leicestershire's follow-on began in a manner that has become typical of their season, as Greg Smith was trapped leg before to Kyle Hogg off the first delivery.
Hogg then added Michael Thornley to his collection, as light rain began to fall. Ned Eckersley (25) had shown promise but was humiliated by a run out which caused the hosts to fall to 41-3, with the rain now reaching unplayable proportions.
With nearly four hours of play lost, Lancashire may well have wrapped-up victory inside three days and they will be hopeful that the rain can hold of for little more than a session tomorrow.
Upon resuming play at 5pm, the visitors replicated their work of the previous day, claiming two late wickets to bolster their chances for success in spite of the weather.
Shiv Thakor chipped to Luke Procter at square-leg, with Leicestershire now 53-4, giving Glen Chapple his third wicket of the match thus far.
A much needed stand worth 55 between captain Matthew Boyce and Niall O'Brien (35*) gave the hosts a degree of pride, but the former will have been dissapointed to be removed by part-time spinner Andrea Agathangelou for 27.
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