MICHAEL Klinger and Geraint Jones took Gloucestershire to within 47 runs of Lancashire's first innings total of 275, at tea, on day two of the LV= County Championship game in Bristol.

Having successfully stopped the rot, after Division Two leaders Lancashire had reduced their hosts to 89-5 at lunch, the pair added an unbeaten 156 for the sixth wicket, with 139 runs coming in the session.

Klinger passed 50 off 115 balls, with nine fours, and was just three runs shy of his century at the interval. Jones, who came to the crease at 72-5, in the 36th over, posted his half century off just 66 deliveries and gave the visiting attack precious little encouragement.

On a wicket that was, at times, receptive to the Lancashire seamers, the pair batted with genuine patience and application. Both were particularly harsh on anything full and wide, but neither took any chances as Gloucestershire edged themselves into a relatively strong position, on 228-5.