WORCESTERSHIRE clinched back-to-back County Championship Division Two victories as they stepped up their promotion bid when demolishing Northamptonshire by 311 runs with more than a day to spare.

Fine bowling by Matt Henry, in the final Championship appearance of his spell, enabled the County to follow up their home success over Leicestershire with a fine win at Wantage Road.

Henry returned figures of 14-3-36-5, his best for the County who climbed into second spot after dismissing Northants for 142 in 35.3 overs.

They are now just one point off leaders Essex, who boast a game in hand.

Northants were set a formidable target of 454 after the visitors added 143 runs in the morning from 24 overs.

But New Zealander Henry showed his international class and ended his six Championship appearances with 26 wickets.

Despite having been on 54-5 on the opening day after electing to bat, the County resumed their second innings on the third day on 181-4 with a lead of 310 and went in search of quick runs to set up the declaration.

Tom Fell (45) was trapped lbw by Ben Sanderson but Ross Whiteley was quickly into his stride with a six to bring up the 200.

Ed Barnard and Whiteley brought up their 50 stand in just eight overs before another six by the latter extended the overall advantage past the 400 mark.

In-form Barnard made 34 from a stand of 74 in 11 overs when he was caught behind off Monty Panesar.

Whiteley advanced to 45 off 36 balls with three sixes and four fours before the left-hander and Joe Leach (0) fell to successive balls from Steven Crook.

But Ben Cox (20) and George Rhodes (31) added an unbroken 42 in 6.3 overs before the declaration.

Northants were left three overs before lunch and the final delivery accounted for skipper Ben Duckett (10) with a Whiteley catch at short leg off Brett D'Oliveira.

Despite early afternoon showers, the County accelerated their victory push with three quick wickets just before tea.

A full Henry delivery knocked out the stumps of Rob Keogh (9) and he then accounted for Adam Rossington (3) with the ball ballooning through to Cox.

Henry produced another fine ball that Rob Newton (11) nicked through to Cox.

Tea was taken with Northants on 40-4 and wickets continued to tumble in the final session.

Richard Levi (6) was trapped lbw by Henry, who enjoyed another success as Leach held a good catch to dispose of David Murphy (0).

Crook hit a quick 33 before skipper Daryl Mitchell, fielding at mid-on after damaging a finger in the slips, held on for Leach's seventh wicket of the match.

Henry completed his five-for as Seekkuge Prasanna (31) went for a hook and was caught by Rhodes.

Rhodes claimed his first Championship wicket as Ben Sanderson (12) miscued to Cox.

It was all over after a mix-up saw Panesar (5) run out off D'Oliveira.