IAN Austin's century misery goes on.

The Lancashire all-rounder is on the best batting run of his career, with half centuries in his last three innings.

But after being left stranded on 89 and 95 in the first innings of the Championship matches against Essex and Durham when he ran out of partners, yesterday in the second innings at Durham he only had himself to blame.

Austin was bowled by young Durham paceman Steve Lugsden for 91. It took his Championship average this season to almost 100 - but left him still looking for his first century since 1992.

Warren Hegg also missed out on a century chance, getting within 11, but with a new career best 134 already in the bag this season that wasn't such a bad blow.

And the Austin-Hegg seventh wicket partnership, which added 175 in 31 overs, has left Durham needing a miracle to prevent Lancashire's first victory of the season.

Their overnight total of 395-8 meant a lead of 478 with two days of the match remaining.

Steve Titchard also made a handy contribution yesterday, grinding out 60 in three hours on his second Championship appearance of the season to follow a century on his first at Chelmsford.

Durham had a terrible day in the field, dropping Mike Watkinson twice and Hegg before he had scored as Lancashire piled on the agony.

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