Middlesex batsman Max Holden believes his side can go on and win their County Championship Division Two match at Northamptonshire on Wednesday.

Holden fell six runs short of a century at Wantage Road as Middlesex, made to follow-on by the home side, closed on 374-9 in their second innings, a lead of 215.

Holden put on 121 for the seventh wicket with James Harrison (79 not out) after Sam Robson (72) had led the way in the top order.

And the youngster said: “We were obviously in a tricky position and I’m really pleased I was able to contribute and help get us back into a good position.

“We’ve made a habit of not starting games as well as we would have liked but the character the guys have showed is testament to the team’s attitude.

“We’re in a good position to win now because I think there is still enough left in this wicket.”

Northants head coach David Ripley added: “If you would have said on day one in the conditions that we had to come back on the final day to chase 220, we would have taken that to be honest.

“We’ve still got a good opportunity to go and win the game and we should be favourites with the wicket how it is now but we’ve still got to go and do it.

“We didn’t do a lot wrong, we showed a lot of heart, bowlers kept coming in but two guys got stuck in and built a stand and that’s what we’ll need.”