Middlesex Academy graduate Adam London scored a dogged half-century on his first-class debut to help his side reach a workmanlike 307-6 on the opening day of their LV Championship Division Two clash with Gloucestershire at Lord's.

London helped hold together another mixed batting display by the basement county, who are in search of only their second win of the campaign.

Despite heavy, early morning skies, Middlesex skipper Shaun Udal elected to bat first.

It was not until the introduction of Kiwi all-rounder Hamish Marshall after 17 overs that Gloucestershire CCC's opening breakthrough came about as Nick Compton (28), in attempting to run the right-armer's first delivery down to third man, got tucked up by some extra bounce and edged meekly to Chris Taylor at first slip.

Opening partner Sam Robson had one stroke of luck when, with his score on 26, a flashing edged drive against Steve Kirby just eluded third slip, but the Aussie-born right-hander moved on smoothly thereafter to reach a deserved 119-ball 50 after lunch with seven boundaries.

Robson and London added 96 for the second wicket either side of the interval, but the partnership ended with Robson on 83 from 171 balls and with 11 fours, when his attempted cut off Kirby ballooned into the hands of Richard Dawson at second slip.

London teamed up with fellow left-hander Dawid Malan to post Middlesex's opening batting bonus point on the stroke of tea with London moving to his maiden first-class 50 from 141 balls with a three through the covers off Taylor's bowling.

But the third wicket partners fell in quick succession after the tea break when London, on 68, dragged a ball from Marshall on to his stumps then, without addition to the score, Malan (38) toe-ended an attempted pull off Ian Saxelby low to Marshall at short cover.

The stream of four dismissals continued throughout the final session when Ben Scott fell leg before for only six when pushing half-forward against Saxelby, while all-rounder Gareth Berg (5) failed to cash in after being promoted up the order when he nicked a bouncing delivery with the second new ball from Kirby through to Gloucestershire CCC keeper Steve Adshead.