Cricket: 2011 English County Championship Division 2, Round 12

Derbyshire boosted their promotion hopes as the Top Two could only draw, while Surrey and Gloucestershire lost to dent their promotion push.

Northamptonshire remain on top with 174 points after 12 games as they drew with second-placed Middlesex in a rain-affected encounter at Lord's.

Middlesex made 317 in their first innings, thanks to Scott Newman (75), Chris Rogers (67) and John Simpson (61). Chaminda Vaas claimed 5-76.

Northamptonshire replied with 399 as Stephen Peters (75) and Mal Loye (87) put on an opening stand of 158 and Niall O'Brien made a half-century. Steven Crook was the pick of the bowlers with 5-94.

Middlesex fell to 31-4 second time around before Rogers (145) and Simpson's 72 guided them to 313-8 declared as the match ended in a draw. Vaas took 3-51 and Andrew Hall took 2-47.

Middlesex have 167 points, but have a game in hand over Northamptonshire and other sides around them.

Derbyshire move up to third on 146 points after 12 games as they beat Gloucestershire by seven wickets in Derby.

Batting first, the home side made 413, thanks to Martin Guptill (143) and Wes Durston (151). Will Gidman picked up 6-92.

Gloucestershire were dismissed for just 220 in their first innings, with Richard Coughtrie making 54 not out. Jonathan Clare claimed 3-19, Tim Groenewald 2-32, Tony Palladino 2-60 and Mark Turner 2-65.

Following on, the away side fell from 220-4 to 302 all out despite Kane Williamson's 75. Turner picked up 4-79 to leave Derbyshire needing 110 for victory.

The home side wobbled on 24-2 and 63-3 but made it home, thanks to Guptill's 66 not out to win by seven wickets.

Gloucestershire are fourth on 143 points with four games remaining.

Surrey are fifth on 138 points after being beat by eighth-placed Kent in Canterbury.

Kent posted 266 first time around, with Joe Denly's 49 the highest score. Yasir Arafat picked up 3-62 for Surrey.

Surrey were bundled out for just 127 as Rory Hamilton-Brown made 34. Darren Steven's first-class best of 7-21 ripped through the away side.

Rob Key's 110 guided Kent to 230 in their second innings, as Tim Linley claimed 4-48 and Gareth Batty 4-51.

Chasing a tough 370 for victory, Surrey were blown away for just 104 as Hamilton-Brown again top-scored with 40. James Tredwell returned 5-35 and Stevens 4-49 to seal a 265-run win for the home-side.

Kent stay eighth on 106 points, but put some distance between themselves and bottom side Leicestershire.

In the next round of fixtures, starting on August 17, Derbyshire host Northamptonshire, Essex face Gloucestershire, Glamorgan play Leicestershire and Kent welcome Middlesex.