Warwickshire are only five wickets away from clinching promotion to Division One of the championship after they reduced Derbyshire to 91-5 at the close of the third day.

Centuries from Nick Knight and Ian Bell allowed Warwickshire to declare on 400-6 leaving Derbyshire to score 294 to avoid an innings defeat but their batting failed yet again.

They go into the fourth day still 203 runs behind with all the recognised batsmen gone and only heavy rain will deny Warwickshire the victory they need to secure a place in the top three.

The Bears have dominated this game from the start and Derbyshire have done little to halt their advance towards promotion.

Knight and Bell's stand of 245 for the fourth wicket was followed by a partnership of 73 in eight overs between Dougie Brown and Neil Smith to take their side to maximum batting points.

That made sure they finished above Gloucestershire and the prospect of Derbyshire denying them victory faded once Steve Stubbings was lbw to Charlie Dagnall for the second time in the game.

Dougie Brown then pinned Mathew Dowman lbw and when Michael Di Venuto drove Brown to mid off, Warwickshire were starting to celebrate.

Dagnall yorked Chris Bassano and although bad light held up play for 55 minutes, Brown had Steve Selwood lbw for nine just before the close.

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