DURHAM skipper Paul Collingwood fell three short of a century but Gloucestershire rallied to end the third day with a lead of 59 runs and with seven of their second innings wickets remaining in the Specsavers County Championship match at Bristol, writes Richard Latham.

Resuming on 270-4, Durham were dismissed for 419, with Collingwood last man out for 97.

Michael Richardson hit 57 and shared a fifth-wicket stand of 122 in 42 overs with his captain. Craig Miles was the most successful Gloucestershire bowler with 5-99.

Collingwood had faced 178 balls and hit 10 fours when falling just short of his ton, well caught by George Hankins at slip, who showed great anticipation to hold the chance offered by a reverse paddle off Graeme van Buuren.

Cameron Bancroft’s miserable start to his second spell with Gloucestershire continued when he played across a straight ball from Chris Rushworth and departed for 13 with their second innings score on 30.

But Chris Dent and Will Tavare then batted with confidence in bright sunshine, the latter being first to his half-century, off 70 balls with six fours.

Tavare again looked in good form until he was undone on 55 by the third ball of the match from Cameron Steel, brought on to bowl leg-spin in what proved an inspired move by Collingwood.

Steel appeared to deceive Tavare with a googly, which tucked him up and bowled him, much to the delight of the young bowler and his team-mates.

There was a life for van Buuren when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter off Carse, but on 23 he was pinned lbw by Onions with the score on 159 and Gloucestershire 43 ahead.

Dent had reached his half-century off 107 balls, with six fours, batting fluently without giving a chance. He was unbeaten on 64 at stumps.

Gloucestershire seamer Miles said: "I am delighted to have taken five wickets on a pretty unhelpful pitch against what is basically a First Division side playing in Division Two.

"Durham have some very talented batsmen and on that surface it was a case of trying to be patient and build pressure. I still delivered a few too many loose balls for my liking, but there were some wicket-taking balls too.

"We will have to bat well through the morning session tomorrow to make sure of avoiding defeat."