Lancashire enjoyed a better second day than first but are still in grave danger of losing their Division One match at Liverpool against Kent.

Lancashire, having been bowled out for 107 on Wednesday, dismissed Kent for 233, Oliver Newby taking 4-79 and Justin Kemp ending on 56 not out.

Lancashire lost wickets at steady intervals in their second innings, finishing on 257-7, a lead of 131.

Captain Stuart Law anchored the innings with a well-made 79.

But Lancashire will need plenty more runs on Friday if they are to force an unlikely victory and boost their prospects of avoiding relegation.

Kent resumed their first innings on 147-5 after Geraint Jones's terrific 91 on Wednesday and they lost wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for 233.

Steven Croft took 2-34 and Glenn Chapple 3-61 as they helped Newby wrap up the innings.

Lancashire, 126 behind, lost Mark Chilton to Yasir Arafat for only two, but Paul Horton (29) and Karl Brown (40), batting for only the second time in Championship cricket, put on 62 for the second wicket.

Both batsmen fell to Amjad Khan, caught behind by Jones, before Francois du Plessis (15) fell to spinner James Tredwell.

Law batted patiently in his 127-ball innings, but he undid some of his good work when he steered Ryan McLaren straight to Amjad on the third-man boundary.

Chapple and Tom Smith put on an unbeaten 37 to lead Lancashire to stumps.