The Red Rose county failed to take a wicket from 55 overs as the hosts moved to 280-3 in their first innings.

In-form batsman Will Smith moved to his third century of the four-day season, reaching 144 not out when play ended.

Smith is in the midst of a partnership of 184, a record stand for any Durham wicket against Lancashire, with his captain Dale Benkenstein, who is unbeaten on 61.

In total there have been 97 overs of play lost over the first two days. The forecast for today's third day is nothing short of biblical. A total washout is on the cards.

The Red Rose seam attack actually bowled pretty tidily on day two, restricting Smith and Benkenstein to 138 runs at a rate of 2.5 runs per over.

Glen Chapple had a big lbw appeal against Benkenstein turned down early in the piece, and not much went right from there.

Despite their effort, Lancashire lacked penetration. But this performance has been by far and away better than their second-day performance in the field during their recent defeat against Kent at Canterbury.

Tom Smith was Lancashire's best bowler. The 22 year-old, playing his first Championship match of the season, took 1-29 from 19 overs.

"There were no wickets and 30-odd play and misses, numerous nicks through the slips that didn't carry or rolled along the ground," said captain Stuart Law.

"It has been frustrating, although I think our guys bowled as well as they possibly can. We came here thinking that there would be a bit more in the wicket after the last result they had here against Kent.

"It has been tough work but I think our guys stuck to it really well."

Law and cricket manager Mike Watkinson selected an all- seam attack for this clash on the basis that the ground had been so wet.

He was encouraged by Durham's quickfire win against Kent, when 35 wickets fell on the first two days and was hoping for movement off the pitch.

"From all the reports of the match against Kent, that wasn't created by up and down bounce, just sideways movement," continued Law.

"That's why we took in an all-seam attack. OK, we have got that wrong.

"But I still think that we have bowled well enough to have them more than three wickets down."