Chris Rogers struck his ninth half-century of the championship to steer Derbyshire to 128-3 at stumps on day two - 178 runs behind Middlesex.

The visitors were all out for 306, with Tim Murtah (20) and Murali Kartik (33 no) stubbornly resisting at the tale.

Derbyshire were reduced to 90-3 with Kartik (2-49) taking the wickets of Dan Birch and Wavell Hinds in three balls.

Rogers (59 not out) and Greg Smith (12 no) survived the last 15 overs to leave the game evenly balanced.

Murtagh made the early breakthrough for Middlesex, removing Paul Borrington (6) in the seventh over for his 50th wicket of the campaign.

The second-wicket stand began to look ominous until Birch was bowled for 38 and Hinds was trapped lbw second ball.