Lancashire earned three batting bonus points against Hampshire but their efforts were being overshadowed by title rivals Sussex at Trent Bridge.

Needing a victory to have any chance of a first outright title since 1934, Lancs closed on 333-7 at the Rose Bowl.

Mal Loye hit 67 and Stuart Law 79 but no-one could go on to make a big score as seamer James Bruce claimed 3-54.

The visitors still need 67 to claim five batting points - but it may yet prove futile with Sussex going well.

Loye and Law added 99 in 33 overs before Zimbabwean spinner Greg Lamb dislodged the former's off-stump.

After Nathan Astle was superbly caught low at second slip by Shane Warne for a breezy 26, Law completed an unusually watchful innings spanning almost three hours by chipping Lamb tamely to short mid-wicket.

Lancashire coach Mike Watkinson admitted his team had been keeping a close eye on Sussex's match at Nottinghamshire.

"Sussex are steaming ahead and we just have to hope there is some bad weather or that they have one or two bad sessions," he said.

"It could have been better for us at the end of the first day and it could have been a lot worse and I am pleased to be in this position."