Hampshire skipper Ben Brown will resume this morning with another 82 runs as his first target after steering his side to a position of relative safety on day three.

Set a target of 511 for first innings parity the hosts had a few nervy moments en route to 429-7 but Brown's steadying hand proved enough to put the draw within reach.

“I’m really pleased I was able to stay out there until the end," said Brown who finished unbeaten on 143. "The pitch is in our favour for batting so once you get in you want to cash in."

For Durham, it will be another day of toil in the field as they look to knock over the last three Hampshire wickets in order to give themselves an outside chance.

"It would have been nice to be bowling again and tried to get them a couple more wickets down. The pitch has very little pace or carry and has spun as much as we thought either," said Durham bowling coach Graham Onions.

“As a unit we have stuck together and stuck to some pretty solid plans. The key to that is having someone like Matthew Potts who can run in all day. He’s fit, he’s strong and the way he wants to do it for Durham is something I admire."

Image source, Rex Features

Gloucestershire all-rounder Ollie Price gave his side a chance of an unlikely victory at Old Trafford as he batted throughout Sunday to finish on 253 not out.

His gargantuan innings has lasted more than nine hours and contained 30 fours and three sixes.

The visitors lead by 139 with a couple of wickets still in hand.

Lancashire might have a nervy couple of sessions trying to save the game.

Glamorgan are just about on top in this Division Two game at Sophia Gardens.

They enter the final day 213 in front with five wickets in hand.

Derbyshire have enjoyed a fine start to the season - can it continue?

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesex bowling coach Tim Murtagh called on his side to "show some guts" after a sobering day left them facing a huge final day task.

Having bowled out Kent for 129 in the first innings Middlesex will be scratching their heads at the fact they face a run chase against this opposition not pulled off in over 100 years.

That they do is largely down to indifferent bowling and the bat of Daniel Bell-Drummond who posted his second highest first-class score of 223 on day three.

"I am proud of the way they stuck together as a group but obviously I’m not going to stand here and say we had a good day," said Murtagh, whose side need 284 to win with seven wickets still standing.

"Our backs are up against the wall and we need to come out and show as much fight as we can. And prove there is still life left in this game for us."

In contrast Kent enter day four full of beans and with a third victory of the season very much within their grasp.

Double centurion Bell-Drummond said: "I was grateful I was able to cash in. I felt in very good nick once I got going and happy I could put Kent in quite a strong position."

Harry Everett
BBC Sport from Taunton

James Rew and Craig Overton hold the keys for kick-starting Somerset's season today.

On my arrival there was talk of make or break today, it seems a bit premature but also totally fair after the surprise draw here v Worcestershire and losses at Sussex and Surrey already putting title hopes in tatters.

Clutching at westcountry straws maybe, but do not forget that Somerset's two top scorers from the first innings, recent number three Josh Davey and overseas all-rounder Miggy Pretorius, are still to bat.

Essex paceman Paul Walter has been examining the lengths his seamers and spinner Simon Harmer will be targeting, with Nick Pepper tamping the footmark holes.

Essex will likely not use Walter, Noah Thain or Matt Critchley with the ball in the first hour, expect Jamie Porter, Kasun Rajitha and Sam Cook to rotate from the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion End around Harmer plugged in from the River End.

Jordan Cox couldn't get into Musgrove Hospital to get a scan on his side yesterday (Bank Holiday Sunday), so was waiting until this morning for medical advice to hear if he misses out on another international opportunity due to injury after his New Zealand disappointment last winter.

Image source, Harry Everett in Taunton

Sunday saw Warwickshire keep their cool and chase 185 to beat Yorkshire by five wickets at Headingley.

The Bears were wobbling slightly at 109-4, but Ed Barnard's rapid 37 and a composed 49 not out from Zen Malik took them home.

Division Two leaders Leicestershire opened up a 34-point gap at the top of the table thanks to a comfortable win over Northants.

Set a target of 289, Northants were never really in the chase and bowled out for 156.

Image source, Rex Features

Div One

Hampshire 429-7 v Durham 511

Somerset 145 & 216-6 (target 321) v Essex 206 & 259

Div Two

Glamorgan 431 & 132-5 v Derbyshire 350

Lancashire 450 v Gloucestershire 589-8

Middlesex 238 & 81-3 (target 365) v Kent 129 & 473

Image source, Getty Images

Morning!

It's Bank Holiday Monday, we've got five cracking County Championship games entering their final day... let's get started shall we?