91�ȱ�

Warwickshire captain Jim Troughton combined with predecessor Ian Westwood at Uxbridge to drag the Bears back into the Championship clash with Middlesex.

After the home side extended their overnight 324-7 to be all out for 402 at lunch, the Bears then suffered a little indigestion, slipping to 26-2.

But Westwood (89) and Troughton (60) remained unparted through most of two sessions as the Bears reached 178-2.

Earlier, Chris Woakes and Chris Wright both completed four-wicket hauls.

Middlesex were left to rue two dropped catches at Uxbridge as the Bears battled their way back into the contest.

Left-handers Westwood and Troughton both received a life during an unbroken stand worth 152.

Troughton should have gone with his score on 2 when he fenced at a Tim Murtagh lifter only for Ollie Rayner to spill a regulation chance at second slip.

Former skipper Westwood also had a let-off when Rayner, diving to his left at backward square-leg grassed a difficult opportunity, allowing the Bears batsman to pass his season's previous best score of 70.

He had also received ice pack treatment earlier after receiving a blow to the left temple when on 55 after a Toby Roland-Jones squeezed between helmet peak and grille.