Mark Alleyne and Matt Windows batted Gloucestershire into a position of strength on the third day of the CricInfo Championship match at Archdeacon Meadow.

Having dismissed Durham for 287 to carve out a first innings lead of 130, the home side made light of frequent rain interruptions to reach 159-4 by the close.

Windows put his series of disappointing scores behind him to register a patient half-century and Alleyne contributed 30 in a fourth-wicket stand of 71 in 17 overs.

But a total of 26 overs were lost to rain and Gloucestershire, 289 runs in front, will require clear skies if they are to force victory on the final day.

Martyn Ball and James Averis had earlier undermined Durham's first innings, sharing eight wickets between them as the visitors were shot out for 287 inside 85 overs.

Off spinner Ball returned a season's best 4-80, bowling into the rough from the River End to dismiss Michael Gough and Danny Law in quick succession and spark a collapse which saw Durham lose their last six wickets for 60 runs.

Averis ensured the tail came and went quickly, accounting for Andrew Pratt, Nicky Phillips and Steve Harmison to finish with 4-75 from 24.2 overs, and Durham were indebted to Ian Hunter, who contributed a gutsy 24 to steer them past the follow-on target of 268.

Durham fought back either side of tea, taking wickets at regular intervals to slow the scoring rate and frustrate the home side.

Kim Barnett was bowled by Simon Brown for 15 and fellow opener Dominic Hewson had scored 29 when he top-edged Hunter to point.

When Chris Taylor tried to flick Law off his legs and lobbed a leading edge to mid-on, Gloucestershire were 85-3 and in danger of surrendering the initiative.

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