Stephen Peters and Rob White gave Northamptonshire's promotion hopes a huge boost smashing half-centuries on the way to a dramatic six-wicket victory against Middlesex at Wantage Road.

Chasing 220 to win after skittling Middlesex out for 207, courtesy of four for 43 from David Lucas, Northamptonshire got off to the perfect start with Peters hitting 73 from 101 balls.

Middlesex thought the wickets would tumble when he was dismissed by Tim Murtagh at the start of the last session, however, they were no match for White who guided the host's home with an unbeaten 85.

It could have been a lot worse for Middlesex had Gareth Berg not rescued them from an embarrassing collapse at 47 for six - effectively seven wickets down due to Shaun Udal's head injury on day two.

The 28-year-old hit a valiant 94 not out from 118 balls but wasn't backed up by his bowlers as Northamptonshire chased down their victory target inside 46 overs.

Northamptonshire's fifth win of the year moves them temporarily second, however, that could change with Derbyshire's clash against leaders Kent set to go to a fourth day.

Middlesex began the day 17 for three and that was soon 29 for five with Adam London (four) and Neil Dexter (one) flashing Johan van der Wath and Lucas to wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien.

Worse was to follow for the visitors when, with Udal unable to bat following a head injury, Dawid Malan fell leg before to Monty Panesar for 26.

Berg played positively from the outset reaching his fifth half-century of the season from 63 balls thanks to six fours and huge slog-sweep six off England spinner Panesar.

The South African added exactly 100 with John Simpson from 25 overs before the wicketkeeper - on debut - was sent packing by South African all-rounder Andrew Hall for 41.

Incoming batsmen Murali Kartik provided Berg with further support following a stand of 53 but was left stranded after Van der Wath and Lucas struck to wrap up the innings at 207 in the 59th over.

Northamptonshire feared a Middlesex-style collapse when O'Brien fell for a duck in the second over only for Peters and Alex Wakely to rally and grow the score to 65.

However with the match racing away from Middlesex acting captain Murtagh turned to Kartik for wickets and it paid off with the Indian spinner claiming two from his first over.

Wakely fell for 13 before Riki Wessels was trapped lbw without scoring, however, the trend stopped there with White coming to the crease.

The game was almost behind the visitors when Peters was dismissed by Murtagh with the score at 121 with Nicky Boje supporting White with 30 to guide the hosts home.