Oxford Universities' Salman Khan and Alan Gofton produced the innings of their lives on the second day of the match with Northants in The Parks yesterday.

When Salman Khan joined Gofton at 87-9, the Universities required another 39 to avoid the possibility of being asked to follow on.

And they responded to the challenge with a stand of 134, the biggest tenth wicket partnership in first-class cricket this season.

Salman Khan completed a maiden half-century, containing seven boundaries off 57 balls and a straight driven six off Graeme Swann which took the partnership to 100. Gofton, whose previous highest score was 37 against Notts last year, also looked set for his first 50.

But he was denied by Kevin Innes, who bowled Salman Khan for 87 with a slower ball, and the innings closed at 221.

At the close, Northants, who led by 54 on first innings, were 111-4 in their second innings.