Loye has been in excellent touch since signing from Northants

Mal Loye scored his second century in two matches for Lancashire but Steve Elworthy led a spirited Notts fightback late on the first day.

Loye, who signed from Northants in the winter, followed up his opening-round ton against Surrey with 113.

And Andrew Flintoff, with whom Loye shared 137 runs for the fifth wicket, was three short of his century when Kevin Pietersen had him caught behind.

Lancashire were cruising on 340-5 late in the evening session, but lost their last five wickets for 14 runs as Elworthy struck.

South African paceman Elworthy returned 5-71 and received good support from Greg Smith, who took three wickets.

Elworthy earlier in the innings removed Iain Sutcliffe for 42, as well as Alec Swan and Mark Chilton cheaply.

Lancashire: JM Anderson, G Chapple, MJ Chilton, A Flintoff, WK Hegg (capt), SG Law, MB Loye, PJ Martin, CP Schofield, IJ Sutcliffe, AJ Swann.

Nottinghamshire: U Afzaal, DJ Bicknell, CL Cairns, S Elworthy, PJ Franks, JER Gallian (capt), AJ Harris, KP Pietersen, CMW Read, BM Shafayat, GJ Smith.