Alec Swann hit his maiden Lancashire century to frustrate Yorkshire's bid for a first County Championship win of the season, and Roses domination.

Swann ended the third day unbeaten on 121 after facing 292 deliveries, to give his side hope of avoiding defeat in a crucial relegation encounter.

Yorkshire hopes were high after they reduced Lancs to 113 for four during the morning session.

The pace quartet of Darren Gough, Ryan Sidebottom, Chris Silverwood and Craig White all caused problems but Swann kept his head down to steer the visitors to 330 for six at the close.

A dogged fifth-wicket partnership worth 93 with Glen Chapple revived Lancashire's hopes of avoiding the follow-on.

The pair came together after two wickets in successive deliveries from Sidebottom had accounted for Stuart Law and Neil Fairbrother.

Law had just driven Sidebottom through the covers to move past his half-century when the left-arm paceman nipped one through his defences.

Fairbrother immediately followed him back to the pavilion as wicketkeeper Richard Blakey clung onto a fine catch down the leg side.

After a two-hour break for rain, Chapple reached his 50 with a clean straight six off spinner Richard Dawson but could not avoid edging White through to Blakey soon after.

Swann, who was dropped on four on Saturday, was given another let-off on 67 when Michael Lumb put him down at short leg.

He made sure the hosts paid for the error as he continued to grind out the runs that took him to three figures in 234 balls.

Skipper Warren Hegg chipped in 25 in a 65-run stand with Swann before being yorked by White and Peter Martin took the shine off the second new ball to hit a brisk 39.

Yorkshire: C White, M J Wood, A McGrath, D S Lehmann (Capt), M J Lumb, V J Craven, R J Blakey (Wkt), C J Elstub, C E W Silverwood, D Gough, R J Sidebottom.

Lancashire: M J Chilton, A J Swann, D Byas, S G Law, N H Fairbrother, G Keedy, W K Hegg (Capt, Wkt), G Chapple, J Wood, J M Anderson, P J Martin.

Umpires: A Clarkson and J F Steele