IS there no end to Durham's punishment? They were made to pay a heavy price this morning for twice dropping Northants opener Max Holden, who was still there on 76 at lunch.

The early departure of Chesney Hughes raised Durham's spirits, but Adam Rossington then set about the threadbare attack to help his side to 197 for five, leading by 31, at lunch.

Conditions at Chester-le-Street were far better for batting than on the first day and the visiting wicketkeeper hit nine fours in a 59-ball half-century before edging Barry McCarthy to second slip to depart for 65.

He put on 98 with Holden, who could have been out three times early in the day, but reached 50 off 140 balls before accelerating.

He survived a confident lbw appeal from McCarthy's first ball of the day and edged the seventh, bowled by Paul Coughlin, at comfortable height to second slip.

Keaton Jennings spilled it and Graham Clark put down another straightforward chance at point off McCarthy with Holden on 27.

There was also a misfield at mid-off, giving Hughes four of the five runs he added before edging Coughlin to wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter.

With five seamers injured, Paul Collingwood brought himself and Gavin Main on to bowl. But the young Scot fed Rossington's back-foot strength and continued to struggle when he returned just before lunch.