91Èȱ¬

Alan Richardson took 3-28 to give Worcestershire the upper hand going into the final day of their clash with Nottinghamshire at New Road.

Notts needed a gutsy 52 not out from Samit Patel to get them out of deep trouble as they reached the close on 104-5, a lead of only 84.

Worcestershire had earlier resumed on 77-2 and were in command as captain Moeen Ali's 84 helped them to 223-3.

But Charlie Shreck (5-53) took four wickets as they slumped to 243 all out.

Shreck's four scalps came at the cost of five runs to complete his first five-wicket return for nearly three years, but Worcestershire would have been disappointed to lose their last seven wickets for 20 runs in 48 balls.

Things had been going swimmingly for the hosts, who, after resuming on 77-2 after day two had been lost to rain, only lost Matt Pardoe (39) before lunch, the opener becoming Darren Pattinson's 150th first-class victim.

But the game turned on its head with two indifferent shots in the space of four balls as Alexei Kervezee (39), was caught behind off Paul Franks before Moeen was taken at slip off Samit Patel.

Shreck then wreaked havoc by holding a return catch off championship newcomer Neil Pinner, and trapped Ben Scott lbw before bowling Jack Shantry and Richardson in the space of three balls.

Richardson turned the game back in Worcestershire's favour with an opening burst of 3-15, but, after the home side lost fellow opening bowler Damien Wright to a calf injury, Samit Patel dug in with captain Chris Read (21 not out) to see Notts through to the close.

91Èȱ¬ Hereford & Worcester's Dave Bradley:

"A strange old day. Worcestershire in the box seat, scores level and only three down, but they lost two wickets before the new ball was taken and Shreck, who had not bowled that well in the morning, took full toll of the Worcestershire tail.

"Momentum with Notts it seemed, but the ever-reliable Richardson again came to the fore, to take his first-class wicket haul to 399.

"Damien Wright limped off and his season at New Road could be over with a calf injury. He was missed as Patel and Read put on what could be more than useful runs at the end."