England captain Michael Vaughan on the go against New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's yesterday. Vaughan scored his 14th Test century as England made 319 all out, replying to New Zealand's 277. - AP

LONDON (AP):

England captain Michael Vaughan shrugged off his indifferent form yesterday to score his 14th Test century and secure a 42-run first innings lead over New Zealand on the fourth day of the first Test at Lord's.

At stumps, New Zealand openers Jamie How and Aaron Redmond had whittled that lead down to two, closing at 40 without loss. With just one day's play remaining, the chances of a result are extremely slim.

England was dismissed for 319 after Vaughan top scored with 106, while New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori claimed five for 69. Both Vettori and Vaughan felt that, barring something dramatic happening on the fifth day, the match was heading for a draw.

Important session

"The first session tomorrow is really important," Vettori said. "In fact, the hour tonight that the openers batted out was even more important. If there is going to be a result, we'll have to bat pretty poorly."

While Vaughan acknowledged that "something special" had to happen to force a result, he was confident England had the attack to cause a few problems.

When Vaughan danced down the track to smash Vettori through midwicket to bring up his sixth Test hundred at the ground, he equalled Graham Gooch's record for most centuries at Lord's.

To achieve that milestone, the England captain had to rely on tailenders Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom.

Rebuilding the innings

England were looking somewhat vulnerable at 208 for six, after Vettori had struck twice in successive balls but, after Broad had narrowly avoided the hat-trick, he and Vaughan set about rebuilding the innings.

Vaughan had come into the Test series under significant pressure. He had not made a Test half century in six innings while his last century was against India at Trent Bridge last year. In the lead-up to the first Test, Vaughan's struggles with the bat continued with his Yorkshire county side.

As his middle order collapsed, Vaughan appeared to gain in confidence - using his feet well and driving through both the on and off sides with authority. He put on 61 with Broad before Jacob Oram skittled the left-hander for 25.

With Sidebottom, he put on another 48 runs and to eclipse New Zealand's first-innings tally of 277.

Sidebottom took one swipe too many outside off-stump on 16 to give Kyle Mills his first wicket of the match, before Vettori accounted for both Panesar (0) and finally Vaughan.

"It's always nice to play at this ground which has been so successful for me," Vaughan said. "When I walked out to the middle I just felt at home. I know what shots are required here and had a feeling that there was a hundred there for the taking."

Nice feeling

Vaughan's dismissal gave the left arm spinner his 250th wicket - only the second Kiwi to do so after Richard Hadlee - and his 14th five-wicket haul.

"It's a nice feeling," Vettori said, "but what is far more important is getting through tomorrow's first session."

After first dismissing the potentially dangerous Kevin Pietersen for 3, Vettori went on to remove Paul Collingwood and Tim Ambrose in two balls.

While Vettori claimed the most wickets, it was Chris Martin who provided two significant breakthroughs earlier in the innings.