DURHAM wiped out their arrears for the loss of four wickets this morning, but it was disappointing that both openers should fall after putting on 53.

It was no surprise when a plainly nervous Gordon Muchall also departed for seven. He survived a sticky start against some good bowling from Ajmal Shahzad but was in even more trouble when Glen Chapple returned.

Muchall jumped across his crease, looking to play to mid-wicket, and a ball which started on leg stump did just enough to have him lbw. It was similar to Will Smith’s departure, except that he was aiming for mid-wicket off the front foot against Shahzad.

Smith, looking disappointed with the decision, was out for 22 and Mark Stoneman went for 28 when he pushed forward and edged a good ball from Luke Procter to the wicketkeeper.

Chapple, bowling superbly, had Dale Benkenstein dropped at second slip by Ashwell Prince, only for the same combination to atone two overs later, the final one before lunch.

It left Durham on 71-4, only three runs ahead, with Ben Stokes on four.