WORCESTERSHIRE'S search for the win which might keep them afloat in division one lost momentum in the afternoon session at Chester-le-Street as Durham reached 119 for two at tea.

The hosts still need 172 from 39 overs but knowing that Hampshire are struggling will reassure Durham that they are safe and, if necessary, they can settle for a draw. That merely adds to Worcestershire's difficulties in taking eight wickets on a placid pitch.

They have been defied by Scott Borthwick's second half-century of the match, and 11th of the season and he is still there on 64 with Paul Collingwood on 15.

West Indian paceman Shannon Gabriel took his first wicket when he had Jack Burnham lbw with his sixth ball, but Borthwick and Mark Stoneman took the scire to 79 before the opener slapped a back-foot shot to Brett D'Oliveira at cover off Jack Shantry.

Shantry came closest to unsettling Borthwick, who just evaded leg slip on 30 and also edged the left-armer just short of first slip on 40. He reached 50 off 70 balls and looked comfortable in sweeping D'Oliveira's leg spin.