Half-centuries from Alex Wakely, Nicky Boje and Rob White underpinned Northamptonshire's 288 for nine on day one of their LV County Championship Division Two match against Middlesex at Lord's.

A home fightback saw five wickets fall in the final hour to leave honours even, after Norhants had reached 254 for four at one stage.

Pace bowlers Tim Murtagh and Alan Richardson were the ones who redressed the balance for a side still seeking their first championship win of the season .

Wakely had offered a predominantly watchful approach in accumulating the highest contribution of the day but also drove profitably as he figured in the highest partnership of the innings - 97 in 32 overs with Boje for the fifth wicket.

He reached his half-century from 126 deliveries and struck four fours as well as a six off Murali Kartik over wide long-on. But having advanced to 61, he was trapped in the crease by a full-length ball from off-spinner Shaun Udal.

Boje reached his sixth championship half-century of the season.

He had faced 94 balls, striking a six and five fours, but with his score on 55 and the total on 262, his was the sixth wicket to fall when he pulled a ball from Murtagh into the hands of Steve Finn in the second over with the second new ball.

Northants lost four wickets for 26, the last three all pouched in the slip cordon.

White had played with typical enterprise in a two-hour half-century only to fall on 51 when he carved Finn to deep cover point to give the seamer his third wicket of the innings.

Finn had earlier pinned Stephen Peters in the crease and struck again with the sixth ball of the afternoon when Ben Howgego went half-forward and edged to Eoin Morgan at first slip.

The left-hander was within three of a maiden first-class 50 and could at least reflect on a career-best score after overcoming a difficult start.

He was dropped by Kartik at second slip off Murtagh when on only two but recovered to support White in a second-wicket stand of 87.