DURHAM failed by eight runs to pick up the fifth batting point this morning when they were all out for 392, but Chris Rushworth quickly reduced Northants to 48 for three.

The start was delayed for 35 minutes by poor light and overnight pair Calum MacLeod and Varun Aaron were obviously in a hurry to get the total up from 362 to 400.

But on 390 Aaron departed for 13 when he edged a drive to slip to give New Zealand left-armer Neil Wagner his fifth wicket.

MacLeod continued to strike the ball firmly but couldn’t beat the fielders posted round the boundary and took only two singles in his efforts to keep Peter Chase off strike.

The Scot was finally bowled for 36 when trying to cut a straight one from Mohammad Azharullah.

Rushworth took wickets in his fifth, sixth and seventh overs while Aaron often beat the beat with his fast away swingers. When he did find the edge the ball dropped just short of Paul Collingwood.

There was a brief moment when it seemed Durham had signed someone too fast for the darkening days of mid-September are the umpires consulted their light meter after he sent one past James Kettleborough’s chin.

James Middlebrook had made 23 out of 33 when he edged Rushworth to Scott Borthwick at second slip, then Kyle Coetzer departed for four when he edged to Ben Stokes at fourth slip.

In the over before lunch Rushworth nipped one back to have Kettleborough lbw and bag the first bowling point.