Horton hits out on his way to an unbeaten 137

Paul Horton and Mohammad Yousuf's unbeaten stand of 234 helped Lancashire into a strong position on day two against Yorkshire at Headingley.

The Roses clash appeared to be swinging in favour of the hosts when they were finally all out for 395 after Tim Bresnan top-scored with 64 not out.

Skipper Darren Gough and Bresnan then reduced the visitors to 9-2.

However, Horton dug in and finished unbeaten on 137, while Yousuf was 93 not out as Lancashire reached 243-2.

It was the second time in successive seasons that Horton has been involved in a double century stand at Headingley, last year's 258 third-wicket stand with Stuart Law was Lancashire's highest Roses partnership for any wicket.

Wicket-keeper Luke Sutton also made his way into the Roses record books as he took seven catches behind the stumps for Lancashire.

Resuming on 306-7, Yorkshire's late-order batsmen were determined not to sacrifice their wickets with Bresnan and Richard Pyrah's 55-run stand eventually ended by Gary Keedy.

Bresnan now remains undefeated in his last three Championship knocks and further useful runs came from Gough and last-man Ben Sanderson before both were caught behind by Sutton from the bowling of Oliver Newby.

Lancashire got off to the worst possible start as Iain Sutcliffe and Mal Loye fell either side of lunch.

It could have been worse for the visitors as Yousuf was lucky to escape when Anthony McGrath dropped a low and fast chance at first slip which would have seen Lancashire reduced to 13-3.

It proved to be a costly miss as along with Horton, Yousef went on to complete Lancashire's first century partnership of the season in any competition.

After the tea interval, the crowd inside Headingley swelled as fans watching the rugby league Challenge Cup quarter-final between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors turned their attentions to the cricket on the other side of the stand.

Any home fans were left frustrated, however, as Yorkshire's bowling lacked a cutting edge and Horton completed a splendid century in 192 minutes off 176 balls.