County Championship: Derbyshire on top despite even day

Mark Footitt was Division Two's leading wicket-taker last season with 82 wickets

Derbyshire finished day three on top despite an even day's play at Bristol.

The visitors began the day on 511-8 and added 34 runs before Harvey Hosein was caught behind for 61 to trigger the declaration, with a 270-run lead.

Gloucestershire lost Chris Dent early on to Mark Footitt (3-34), but Will Tavare (45) and Gareth Roderick (75) steadied the innings.

Hamish Marshall was unbeaten on 48 as Gloucestershire closed on 253-6, still trailing by 17 runs.

Earlier, Hosein's maiden first-class fifty continued Derbyshire's dominance with the bat before allowing the bowlers the chance to complete their first win of the season.

Footitt's dismissal of Kieran Noema-Barnett for 31 in the last over of the day meant Gloucestershire will face a fight to avoid defeat on the final day.

Gloucestershire all-rounder Kieran Noema-Barnett:

"These things happen, but if you hit the ball in the air you give them a chance.

"We worked pretty hard and showed character after a disappointing display in the field. We've still got four wickets left, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow."

Derbyshire coach Graeme Welch:

"The pitch flattened out a bit but I was proud of the lads for the way they kept going out there. If you do the right things you get the rewards.

"Martin Guptill took two great catches and with six Gloucestershire wickets down, we are still in a great position.

"You've got to get wickets in different ways and we threw the dice in the last over. We put a short leg in and a man around the corner at leg gully and, thankfully, we got a wicket."