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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.
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