GARETH HARTE scored his maiden first-class century to lead Durham into a match-winning position against Derbyshire in their Specsavers County Championship Division Two at Emirates Riverside.

Durham resumed after lunch at 274-8 and a lead of 165 with Harte and Matt Salisbury at the crease. The duo saw off Duanne Olivier and Hardus Viljoen, blunting the visitors threat with the new ball.

The home side continued to frustrate the Derbyshire attack with their defiance. Harte ensured that the scoreboard kept ticking over by picking his moments to find the boundary, edging his way towards three figures.

Harte and Salisbury brought up their fifty partnership off 139 deliveries, highlighting their patience to wear down the Derbyshire bowlers. The South African edged an Olivier delivery inches past second slip to move to 98 and he knocked off the couple of singles necessary to reach his maiden ton off 218 deliveries, including 11 boundaries.

Durham continued to capitalise on wayward bowling as extras surmounted 81 runs in the innings by the tea break, with the home side boasting a lead of 249 heading into the final session of the day.