Kevin Pietersen smashed an unbeaten 234 as Surrey threatened to surpass' Lancashire's imposing total on the third day of their LV= County Championship Division One match at Guildford.
The England batsman hit 30 fours and eight sixes in his 286-ball knock, sharing a 181-run third-wicket stand with Zander de Bruyn, who made 94.
Surrey reached stumps in their first innings on 430 for five in reply to Lancashire's 485 for seven.
Steven Croft moved past the 150 mark in the morning, finishing unbeaten on 154 after adding 50 of the Red Rose's 60 runs before declaring before lunch.
Pietersen's international captain also made an unbeaten century as Andrew Strauss finished the day on 127, with Middlesex 239 for two against leaders Nottinghamshire at at Uxbridge.
Middlesex, who conceded a first-innings deficit of 231, reached stumps with an eight-run lead ahead of the final day.
Chris Rogers made 59 and put on a 143-run stand with Strauss.
Warwickshire and Sussex were frustrated by the weather as rain washed out the second day of their match at Edgbaston.
Rain halted play at tea on the first day when Warwickshire had reached 175 for three and it continued throughout the night and into the morning.
Worcestershire and Durham's match at New Road was abandoned without a ball bowled on the final day as relentless rain led to a saturated playing surface.
Each team took seven points, leaving both in the relegation positions.
In Division Two, Joe Root made 222 not out but received precious little support in Yorkshire's 350 for nine declared on the third day against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
Opener Root carried his bat throughout the innings, with 26 fours and three maximums. Hampshire were 39 without loss in reply.
Rain meant no play was possible on day three of the match between Gloucestershire and Essex, with the hosts 284 for four in their first innings.
