Greg Smith completed the first century of his first-class

career as Derbyshire claimed a narrow first innings lead on the

third day of their LV County Championship match against

Middlesex.

At tea, Derbyshire were 347 all out, ahead by 41 runs.

Smith made 113 but the lead was not as substantial as they

would have wanted as they slipped from 300-5 to 321-9 in

reply to Middlesex's 306.

Chris Rogers earlier made 80 before left-arm spinner Murali

Kartik found the leading edge of his bat and took a caught and

bowled. The Australian's runs came off 180 balls with seven

fours.

Rikki Clarke again failed to make a telling contribution as he

drove loosely to cover for 21 but Smith went on to reach three

figures in a Championship match for the first time in his

career, off 163 balls with 12 fours.

Smith was finally caught at second slip off Alan Richardson,

who went on to add the wickets of Jon Clare for nought and Ian

Hunter for seven in successive overs.

In between, Danny Evans had Tom New caught behind for 31 as

four wickets fell for 21 runs in five overs. Charl Langeveldt

was last out for nine, leaving Graham Wagg 15 not out.