Foottit puts Gloucestershire in trouble

Gloucestershire spluttered to 66 for 4 at the close on day three of their clash with Derbyshire but further rain leaves this game destined for a draw.

With bad weather the order of the day - as it has been throughout this round of fixtures - play did not start until 4pm and, even when it did, it was only intermittent as bad light had the players going on and off.

During the time they were out in the middle the visitors - 21 without loss overnight - lost four wickets, although the conditions may well mean their position is not as perilous as it would have been on another day.

They lost their first wicket three overs in as Chris Dent had his off stump removed by Mark Footitt for 12 and he was soon joined back in the pavilion by the other players as bad light set in. They headed back out and then lost another as Michael Klinger's inside edge off Tim Groenewald hit his pads and popped up to Paul Borrington, with the captain also departing for 12.

The visitors were 29 for 2 at that stage and did edge up to 52 for 2 through Will Tavare and Alex Gidman, but were then hauled off again as the skies darkened.

They would have been better off staying in the pavilion for good but back they came and Gloucestershire promptly lost two more wickets. A short ball from Footitt surprised Gidman and he was caught at midwicket by David Wainwright for 6, and then William Tavaré nicked Tony Palladino behind for 22.

That left Gloucestershire 63 for 4 and they added three more runs before another delay was made a permanent one. They will resume on Wednesday - weather permitting - 212 runs behind.