Chris Schofield marked the end of Surrey's second longest run without a first-class victory - twenty matches, stretching back to the final game of 2007 - with 5-40, his best ever return in the County Championship. The former England leg-spinner, who has now claimed forty scalps at an average of 18.77 in all competitions this summer, accounted for two of the three Northamptonshire wickets his side needed when the fourth day began at Wantage Road. But, as was the case when the Brown Caps last tasted success, the victory was sealed by Murtaza Hussain, who persuaded David Wigley to attempt a lofted drive down the ground, which was claimed by Andre Nel running back from mid-off.

What turned out to be just 27 minutes of action began with Schofield having three leg before shouts turned down in the opening over. But, two overs later, David Lucas, playing back to a ball that appeared to keep low, was adjudged to be LBW by Vanburn Holder.

Later in the same over Monty Panesar hit Schofield back over his head for four. That prompted Johann van der Wath to also go on the offensive. The South African struck three boundaries in the space of four deliveries from Murtaza. The first found the rope at extra cover and the next ball was struck high and straight for four. Two deliveries later, van der Wath lifted the Pakistani off-spinner over mid-wicket for six.

The 31-year-old then repeated the stroke to Schofield, whom he swept into the Supporters' Bookstall for six in the 72nd over. But in the leg-spinner's next over van der Wath was caught at deep mid-wicket by Usman Afzaal, who tumbled backwards after holding on. Moments later, Surrey's first win by an innings after winning the toss and electing to field since they beat Yorkshire at Headingley in April 2002 was confirmed.

The Brown Caps' first win in 21 first-class matches also saw them bowl their opponents out twice for the first time since Sussex last celebrated being crowned champions on the back of Lancashire's 24-run defeat at the Oval two terms ago. Immediately after play ended yesterday, the Brown Caps' skipper Mark Butcher said: "It still baffles me that we haven't won a game for so long. In the last couple of years if Ramps hasn't scored any runs or perhaps if I haven't scored any runs then we've been looking around for some major contributions, but Uzzy (Usman Afzaal) really provided that for us in this match."

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