DALE Benkenstein’s 13th championship half-century of the season took Durham to 330 for four at tea, leading by 326.

But third place looks increasingly likely after Lancashire achieved full batting points and a first innings lead of 100 at Taunton.

They will finish above Durham as long as they avoid defeat, but Warwickshire are still looking likely champions after reducing Hampshire to 251 for six in reply to 493.

Even if Hampshire get to 400 they are not going to do it quickly enough to secure maximum batting points, which means Worcestershire are safe and they relied on the gentle off spin of Moeen Ali to keep an end going this afternoon.

He looked fortunate to take the wicket of Mark Stoneman, whose attractive innings of 75 ended when he thrust his pad forward down the line of leg stump and was adjudged lbw by Trevor Jesty.

That was the only wicket to fall in the session as Ian Blackwell joined Benkenstein in passing 50, helping himself to some fairly easy runs off Ali.