Sajid Mahmood took three wickets for the second week running to help Lancashire, inspired by Paul Horton’s maiden one-day century, to another Friends Provident Trophy win against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road yesterday.

The 27-year-old claimed 3-17 against Glamorgan at Old Trafford last Sunday, and yesterday he nipped in with 3-38 from nine overs to help the Lightning win their Group D clash by six wickets.

“Saj bowled really well to get us back in the game,” said Horton. “He bowled in the first one-dayer, was a little bit unlucky at Sussex in the week, but bowled really well today.

“He is bowling with some serious pace at the moment.”

Horton’s exceptional 108-ball innings of exactly 100 made sure Lancashire completed their success with more than five overs to spare.

“I am just enjoying the opportunity to play and feel that I am part of a team,” added the player who only featured in eight one-day games in 2008. “I can go out, score runs, then win games for Lancashire.”

Mahmood claimed all of his wickets in the batting powerplay, which Northants took when they were 200-5 in the 40th over of the innings.

He had David Willey caught at mid-off by Glen Chapple, Riki Wessels (45) caught by Francois du Plessis at long-on, and David Lucas caught at mid-off by Gary Keedy.

Tom Smith, who also hit 28 opening the batting, finished with figures of 3-52 from 8.3 overs, though it was left-arm spinner Keedy who really dragged his side back into the game.

Former South Africa international Andrew Hall blasted 81 off 93 balls to help the Steelbacks to a racing start, but Keedy was instrumental in slowing the run-rate during his ten overs.

Lucas removed Smith and Ashwell Prince in the space of two balls to leave Lancs at 59-2 in the tenth over of their reply.

Horton and Mark Chilton (41) shared a third wicket partnership of 120 before the pair fell in consecutive overs. Steven Croft (35 not out) and du Plessis then shared an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 59 to see the Red Rose home.