Derbyshire make a fist of it against Hampshire

Steve Stubbings rediscovered his form to lead a Derbyshire fightback with an unbeaten 84 after Hampshire had taken control of the game.

A last wicket stand of 80 - a Hampshire record against Derbyshire - between Adrian Aymes and Alan Mullally, took the visitors total to 464 and their bowlers then reduced the home side to 85-3.

But Stubbings, with only 25 runs from his four previous first-class innings, dug in and with Rob Bailey, added 93 in 33 overs before Mullally broke through four overs before the close.

Bailey was lbw pushing well forward for 52 but Stubbings held on as Derbyshire closed on 188-4, still 127 away from avoiding the follow on.

Their target would have been less demanding if they had performed better in the field. A dropped catch reprieved Mullally on six and that proved costly as he stayed to add to the bowlers frustration.

Bailey trapped him lbw for 36 shortly after lunch leaving Aymes unbeaten on 83 but Derbyshire's batsmen then pressed the self destruct button on a good batting track.

Luke Sutton perished chasing a wide ball, Mathew Dowman edged into his stumps and Michael Di Venuto carved Shaun Udal to short third man.

Udal was finding some sharp turn but he was forced to leave the field when he pulled up in his 14th over and Hampshire will hope he is fit to resume in the morning.

Derbyshire will expect Stubbings to carry on and the left hander has so far batted for 247 minutes to keep his side in the game although they still have a lot of work ahead of them.