Tom Smith and Gareth Cross shared a century partnership to put Lancashire in control of their County Championship match with Somerset.

The Red Rose ended day two on 361-7, a first-innings lead of 93, despite a devastating spell of bowling from Stephen Kirby, who finished with 5-79.

All-rounder Smith went for 89 just before close after he and wicketkeeper Cross rescued the home side, who were at one stage in trouble on 169-5.

And that was largely due to former England Lions seamer Kirby.

Stephen Moore passed his previous highest Championship score for Lancashire of 61 as the Red Rose resumed on 70-0 in reply to Somerset’s 268.

But he and Paul Horton fell just short of another landmark as Charl Willoughby struck in the 13th over of the day.

Lancashire have not recorded a century opening partnership in 24 games now after Horton edged to slip for 23 having put on 93 with Moore.

Kirby then took over. The 33-year-old, who was born in Lancashire, claimed three wickets in 10 balls just before lunch, and added a fourth just after.

At that stage Lancashire looked in danger of trailing at the end of the first innings. However Chorley’s Smith and Cross steadied the ship with a century partnership which pushed Lancashire into the lead.

The duo both passed 50, with all-rounder Smith first there. Cross soon followed after punishing Kirby with three fours in four balls.

But he succumbed to the former Yorkshire seamer as he edged the next ball after reaching 50 to Trescothick.

Smith then put on 64 with Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof, who remained unbeaten on 49, before his 205-ball vigil came to an end as he edged Suppiah to Trescothick.