Steve Harmison failed to take a wicket in his 15 overs at Trent Bridge, but Durham's slim hopes of victory over Nottinghamshire were boosted after a flurry of late wickets in their First Division match in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship.

Durham's first innings was finally concluded when they declared on 404 for 8 on the third day, with Ottis Gibson stranded one run short of his half-century. The hosts' batsmen scored at around four an over in their attempt to force a result, with Harmison bowling his first overs in the competition as he steps up his recovery from a shin injury.

Jason Gallian's 112 meant the hosts reached 255 for 6, 149 runs behind with a day remaining. Gareth Breese took 4 for 77 off 20 overs.

In the Second Division, the spinners Ian Salisbury and Nayan Doshi took six wickets between them as Surrey looked to seize an advantage against Worcestershire at the the Oval.

Resuming on 55 without loss on the third day, the visitors reached 314 for 6 by stumps after half-centuries from Phil Jaques and Stephen Moore. Worcestershire were still 187 runs behind Surrey's first-innings total, with a draw most likely.

It was a similar story at Derbyshire, where Leicestershire reached 137 for 4 in their first-innings reply. The hosts declared on 401 for 6 and then reduced Leicestershire to 49 for 4, but John Sadler struck an unbeaten half-century, and they trail by 264 runs.