Charlie Knightley's century helped Oxfordshire to a secure position at close of play on day two of their Western Division clash with Cheshire at Banbury.

Knightley's 123 was his sixth championship ton and the basis for Oxon's 349-7, which left them just nine runs behind after the first innings.

Cheshire reached 137-3 at stumps, but may not risk an attacking declaration today as they have a sizeable lead in the table.

Resuming on 31-2, Oxon lost Craig Haupt early on, but Knightley and Rob Williams (94) steadied the ship in style with a 160-run partnership.

The in-form Williams bagged his 24th championship fifty, but was lbw to Nathan Dumelow just short of another ton.

Knightley went on to pass three figures in a very useful 89-run stand with Dave Taylor, who made 62 off 48 balls, including three sixes.

Dumelow also removed Knightley thanks to a catch from Oxford University captain Ollie Sadler.

Shahbaz Ali made a quickfire 16 at the end of what proved a very creditable batting performance from the hosts.

Seamer Adam Sydall was the pick of the Cheshire bowlers with 3-81 off 21 overs.

Sadler and Warren Goodwin got the visitors' second innings off to a solid start with the latter looking in good touch.

Goodwin was dropped on 37 by Taylor at extra cover off the bowling of Jamie Hewitt.

But Taylor made at least partial amends by claiming Sadler and Ben Spendlove in successive overs.

Cheshire captain Dumelow was next to fall, also for a duck, to an expert diving catch from Shahbaz Ali off Luke Ryan, with the ball taken inches off the ground.

Goodwin (65no) and James Duffy (32no) kept the scoreboard ticking over, but they will need to accelerate the run rate if they are to engineer a winning position.

Some early wickets could tip the balance in Oxon's favour, but a draw looks most likely.

That wouldn't be a disaster for the hosts as Cheshire have won every match this season, but there is plenty of cricket to be played.