Stephen Moore, Paul Horton and Karl Brown all hit half-centuries as Lancashire battled hard to keep their Division One title hopes alive on the second day of the LV= County Championship match with Somerset at Taunton.

By the close the visitors had reached 247-3, having bowled out Somerset for 380, Gary Keedy finishing with 4-57 from 28 overs.

Moore (68) and Horton (50) gave Lancashire a fine start with a century opening stand.

Then Brown carried on the good work with a fluent 60. Murali Kartik was the only successful Somerset bowler with three for 60.

The hosts had begun the day on 314-5. Craig Meschede had added only three to his overnight 24 when edging a steeply-lifting ball from Kyle Hogg through to wicket-keeper Gareth Cross.

After a short break because of rain James Hildreth’s long vigil ended when he was caught at second slip by Horton chasing a wide ball from Tom Smith.

Unbeaten on 161 overnight, Hildreth departed for 186, having faced 307 balls and hit 20 fours and a six.

From 352-6 Somerset subsided, Keedy gaining leg before decisions against Alfonso Thomas (20) and Kartik (12), while Simon Kerrigan pinned last man Steve Kirby lbw to at last gain some reward for his accuracy in taking one for 76 from 34.4 overs.

Another short shower delayed the resumption before Moore and Horton began Lancashire’s innings in confident fashion.