The Middlesex bowlers spoiled Dominic Cork's comeback as Derbyshire struggled on a slow Derby pitch.

Cork, playing his first game since he returned home from Pakistan with a stress fracture in his lower back, decided to bat first but at the close Derbyshire were 171-7 from 76 overs.

It was hard going against accurate bowling and Stephen Titchard had to graft for 46 overs for his 37.

Angus Fraser was unlucky not to take a wicket in three excellent spells but he conceded only 27 runs from 18 overs and the only black mark for Middlesex was 27 runs donated in no balls.

Tim Bloomfield took the first and last wickets of a day which did not get underway until after lunch and Simon Cook claimed three including Titchard and Cork in successive overs after tea.

But Phil Tufnell got the key wickets of Derbyshire's top batsmen Michael Di Venuto for three and Rob Bailey for 10 in a 12 over spell.

When Cork fell to a reckless drive for 12, his side were in trouble at 109-6 but Karl Krikken and debutant Graeme Welch hit back with a stand of 48 before Bloomfield struck once more.

Welch hung on but it was Middlesex's day although Cork and the other Derbyshire seamers will look forward to bowling on this pitch.

© CricInfo