James Weighell produced a match-winning spell of 7-32 to inspire Durham to a 46-run win over Leicestershire, triumphing for the first time after following on.

Weighell was the star with both bat and ball as he made a valuable 38 runs after the home side collapsed from a strong position after lunch thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling from Gavin Griffiths.

The visitors target was 148 to win, although Chris Rushworth made early inroads, taking three wickets to send the nerves jangling.

Rushworth was forced off with an injury, but Weighell took centre stage as he tore through Leicestershire's batting line-up, claiming career-best figures in first-class cricket.

The home side made a solid start to the day as Will Smith notched his 50 in the second over with two boundaries off Ben Raine. Smith combined with Cameron Steel for a century partnership as the opener continued his solid work from day three.

However, Steel fell for 86 lbw to Raine. Graham Clark looked comfortable, building on his performance in the first innings, although he was dismissed just before lunch for 25.

Durham were in a decent position with a lead of 67 when the afternoon session began.

Griffiths emergence in the attack ripped through the hosts middle order. Smith was the first to go for 74 as he played a loose drive. Neil Dexter parried the first attempt of a catch into the air, but was able to acrobatically snag it second time around.

Michael Richardson and Paul Collingwood followed in a similar fashion, playing poor strokes to leave their side in peril. Griffiths was striding in with menace and removed Stuart Poynter and Nathan Rimmington in successive deliveries. The 24-year-old was denied a hat-trick, but his six-over run figures of 5-12, his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Durham were reeling at 345-8 with a lead of 89, but James Weighell led a late resistance to take their advantage to 147 before he became Griffiths' final victim and his 10th scalp of the match along with his best first-class figures in an innings and match.

The visitors were under pressure from the off in their chase as Rushworth removed Paul Horton for nine along with Colin Ackermann lbw for five. Mark Cosgrove played a poor shot to leave his side in trouble, with Weighell notching the wicket. Rushworth continued his dominating spell pinning Lewis Hill in front lbw for five.

Rushworth was forced to leave the field with injury, but Weighell kept up the intensity with the key scalp of Michael Carberry for 22. Ned Eckersley suffered an injury during Durham's innings and was unable to keep wicket. He made 15 before being caught down the legside for 15 off Weighell.

Neil Dexter appeared to be the man to guide Leicestershire home, but he was removed by a beauty from Weighell, clean bowling the veteran. The seamer brimming with confidence wrapped up the tail, claiming the final two wickets in successive deliveries, securing a remarkable comeback for the hosts.

Weighell said: “It’s never easy thinking you’ve only got 150 on the board but if you can get the one wicket you know you’ve got a chance of the lower lads coming in who’ve got a lot of overs in their legs and a pitch that’s doing what it was doing.

“The last wicket [Varun Aaron], I put everything into it and luckily it was in the right place so I didn’t really have time to turn around before I was celebrating."

“I knew if I could keep running in, keep myself on my feet, I had a good chance of keeping the ball in my hand. Once I was bowling I was never going to give the ball away as long as Colly didn’t rip it out of my hands. It was perfect for me."