Jack Brooks gave Yorkshire a boost with two late wickets during today's third day of their LV= County Championship match as they pursue victory.

Only 49 overs of play were possible due to rain, split between three sessions - the longest being a 29-over spell through the afternoon.

After being bowled out for 94 in their first innings yesterday in reply to Yorkshire’s 459-9 declared, they were asked to follow-on.

And, despite returning a much better batting performance to reach the close at 149-4, they would have been disheartened to lose the wickets of Matt Spriegel and opener James Middlebrook, who scored a well-made 63 against his first county.

Both wickets - Spriegel was lbw and former Pudsey Congs and Bowling Old Lane all-rounder Middlebrook caught behind - came in the final 14 overs of the day after the players had returned to the field at 6pm following a 75-minute delay.

Ryan Sidebottom had earlier claimed the first two Northants wickets.

He had Stephen Peters caught behind in the ninth over and got Kyle Coetzer (39) the same way in the 34th. Middlebrook and Coetzer had shared 89 for the second wicket.

Gary Ballance left the field tonight with a cut finger on his right hand, but he will be fine to field tomorrow.