Stephen Peters’ magnificent 175 turned the LV= County Championship match at Wantage Road in Northamptonshire's favour after a shaky start against Derbyshire.

The 30-year-old opening batsman plundered 22 fours and one six in his nine-hour innings, cruelly cut short just three runs short of his career-best knock by Nantie Hayward.

Northants were reduced to 89 for four in the morning session before Peters, along with explosive half-centuries by Andrew Hall and Johan van der Wath, allowed the hosts to take control of the match.

Derbyshire then had to survive five overs at the end of the day, which Chris Rogers and Stephen Stubbings did, as they finished on 11 without loss.

With Northants commencing on 20 for one after a rain-interrupted first day, Hayward picked up where he left off when he trapped Rob White (18) lbw in the fourth over of the day.

And he claimed his third wicket of the match after a catch high to his right at slip by Stubbings dismissed Alex Wakely for four, who never looked comfortable.

Riki Wessels was next out, lbw for 27 off the bowling of Greg Smith. Peters then posted a patient half-century while he and captain Nicky Boje put on 56 together.

But with the last ball before lunch spinner Jake Needham, in his first over, superbly caught and bowled Boje for 30 to leave the home side at 143 for five.

However, some generous bowling allowed Northants to seize the initiative in the afternoon session, where they scored 147 runs for the loss of just one wicket.

Hall quickly got off the mark and made his fifty off 55 balls, while at the other end Peters continued to dig his heels in while hitting three fours in consecutive balls off Ian Hunter.

Hall, the former South Africa all-rounder, eventually fell before tea, stumped by Derbyshire’s wicketkeeper Jamie Pipe off the bowling of Needham.

In the very next over, Peters completed his century with yet another excellent cover drive and continued to score steadily until the end of the session.

Partner David Willey looked shaky, however, and in the second over after tea he fell victim to Pipe’s second stumping to become Needham’s third wicket.

Peters reached 150 soon after but he was finally caught by Rogers off Hayward for 175.

Van der Wath then took centre stage, smashing six sixes and scoring 82 off 71 balls, before being caught by Hayward off Hunter after trying one hit too many. The South African's dismissal prompted Boje's declaration.