Image source, Rex Features

Derbyshire are hoping to force a win to try and keep pace with Division Two leaders Leicestershire, who edged to a thrilling win at Bristol on Sunday - a day when 16 wickets went down on a spicy track in favourable bowling conditions.

It meant heartbreak for Gloucestershire, who await their first win at Bristol since September 2022 - a run of 13 winless games - and came ever so close.

There were nine wickets in the match for Dom Goodman and vital runs from James Bracey, Cameron Bancroft and Ollie Price, but despite having the visitors 42-5 chasing 143 for victory.

But Ben Cox took Leicestershire to the brink under severe pressure with 47 and Roman Walker hitting the winning runs to keep Leicestershire top of the table with two wins in four games while Gloucestershire, remain second from bottom after taking just four points.

Gloucestershire captain Cameron Bancroft said: "It was a pretty unbelievable day. Both teams went to and fro over the three days and sadly it wasn't us on the winning end, but we gave it our all. I can’t fault our efforts.

"They bowled extremely well in the second innings; we fought really hard but it was challenging. 50 extra runs would have made a real difference but even with the score we had on the board we knew that if we bowled as well as we have done this season, we were going to give ourselves a chance.

“Dom [Goodman] is one of the favourites of the changing rooms. He has had to wait for an opportunity to play and he bowled beautifully.

"He was such a big part of us getting as close as we did. We’re keen to keep playing well and give ourselves a chance next week up at Lancashire."

Jack Morley to continue, who is in deep conversation with his captain, Wayne Madsen.

Two close catchers on the leg side plus a slip.

Leus du Plooy plays back to defend and that ball came back a long way to strike the pad. Going down leg.

A shorter second ball is heaved leg side for one.

Ryan Higgins goes back and across to punch the ball to backward point for one.

Single to Leus Du Plooy, turned behind square leg.

An early afternoon breakthrough could set a few hearts fluttering on both sides.

Blair Tickner is back of a length at a decent pace and Ryan Higgins is on his toes to push the ball into the off side. No run this time.

Higgins ducks under a bouncer, though it is not that short and the ball lands short of keeper Brooke Guest.

Higgins turns a ball to fine leg for one.

A single to Leus du Plooy, pulled to fine leg.

A bit quicker and flatter from slow left-arm spinner Jack Morley, and Ryan Higgins eases the ball to deep point for one.

A wide full toss is driven through cover point by Leus du Plooy for four.

We have a slip, leg slip and short leg in play.

Three more driven to point as Morley is again too full.

Higgins is back and across to a short ball, cutting for one.

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London commentator

These are the big two, Ryan Higgins and Leus du Plooy - in terms of reputation these two are the powerhouse, the number four and five for Middlesex.

The next two, Ben Geddes and Jack Davies, both got 50s in the first innings, though...

Remember, Leus du Plooy is batting with a runner (Nathan Fernandes) after sustaining a foot injury earlier in the game.

Ryan Higgins is squared up in defence but dabs the ball safely into the off side via a leading edge.

Blair Tickner spears one down leg and falls over in his follow through but recovers to complete the over.

One more to Ryan Higgins, glancing behind square leg.

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London commentator

The chance for Derbyshire is the near misses they have had in the opening session, maybe two chances and a couple that have narrowly missed the stumps.

There was a little pressure for a little while. Can they find some more?

Leus du Plooy turns the ball to mid wicket for one and Ryan Higgins is off the mark first ball with a cut to backward point for one.

Over bowled.

Pace bowler Blair Tickner is on at the other end.

Dave Fletcher
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Absolute carnage just before lunch, it made no sense, let's see what happens in the afternoon session.

Well, where's this game headed now?

Middlesex had just eased ahead after a couple of alarm bells this morning and then gave up two wickets to soft dismissals just before the break.

Max Holden got himself bowled on a wild sweep and Stephen Eskinazi got run out after a late decision to abort a third run he could've made.

Two balls left in the Jack Morley over. Leus du Plooy on strike.

The new batter is all-rounder Ryan Higgins.

Middlesex lead by 14.

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London commentator

Two lapses in concentration in consecutive deliveries broke what was a brilliant morning for Middlesex.

Max Holden hit back-to-back boundaries off the spin of Jack Morley to move to 94 and, with the interval in sight, had a century in mind when he swung hard and missed a straight one.

Stephen Eskinazi was clearly distraught when he was run out turning for a third after Leus du Plooy's cover drive.

The latter has Nathan Fernandes as a runner due to a bruised toe sustained in the first innings.

Who made a mess of the call remains to be seen but, either way, it's opened the door for the undefeated hosts to target a second win of the season.

Middlesex need to bat the majority of what is left of the day to save the game as they follow on - whether the second new ball arrives quickly enough only time will tell.

It may not be needed if the spinners are able to capitalise on clear turn and bounce on what has mostly been a slow hybrid surface.

Derbyshire 472 - Andersson 107, Lloyd 93, Reece 60 v Middlesex 315 - Geddes 59, Davies 54, du Plooy 52, Chappell 4-55 & 171-3 f/o - Holden 94, Eskinazi 61

Middlesex lead by 14 runs with seven wickets remaining.

Dave Fletcher
BBC Radio Derby Sport

We've had an hour and 56 minutes where absolutely nothing has happened and now Middlesex have just imploded.

Absolute madness out there, genuinely madness in the last four minutes of the morning session.

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London commentator

Stephen Eskinazi is absolutely furious. It was always three, he's turning for the third and he's halfway down the pitch.

Somehow Middlesex have lost their two set batters before lunch.

Holden falls in the 90s, Eskinazi is run-out. Eskinazi is absolutely spitting as he walks off.

Pressure does strange things. Derbyshire will be dining very happily.

Bit of a giveaway really.

Max Holden could've paddled that ball away safely or blocked it.

Leus du Plooy drives his first ball through cover and Nathan Fernandes runs.

Stephen Eskinazi was turning for the third, decides to abort and he's beaten halfway down the track!

The return throw is good from Harry Came and Jack Morley breaks the stumps.

Eskinazi is absolutely furious and Middlesex lose two to soft dismissals in the blink of an eye.

That's lunch and the world has gone mad.

Dave Fletcher
BBC Radio Derby Sport

That's brainless, absolutely brainless cricket from Max Holden, who has played so nicely.

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London commentator

I did wonder whether the milestone might bring a mistake and Holden has tried to do it in a rush before the interval.

Leus du Plooy will have to come down the steps before lunch.

Unfortunately for Max Holden on 94 that's an error of judgement.

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London commentator

Does Max Holden think about the century before lunch now? Five minutes to go.

He's onto 94.

Max Holden glances Zak Chappell to long leg for one to reach 81.

Stephen Eskinazi turns the ball safely to square leg for a single.

Two slips in.

Width and driven to extra cover for four and Middlesex have the lead in the 48th over.

Holden gets a thick outside edge as he's squared up a bit and the ball runs to backward point for one.

Four ahead now and a draw is the more likely result here.