A first-wicket stand of 112 between Michael Gough and Gary Pratt saw Durham fight back in the basement clash against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Bottom team Durham faced a first-innings deficit of 143 after dismissing their hosts for 359, but Gough (70 not out) and Pratt (41) guided their side to 120 for one second time around.

Gloucestershire had looked in control as a splendid knock by 21-year-old Alex Gidman underpinned their innings but the home bowlers failed to capitalise.

Resuming on 144 for four, the hosts suffered an early setback with the early loss of opener Craig Spearman.

Spearman added only nine to his overnight 80 before he played a loose cut at England paceman Steve Harmison and edged a catch to 'keeper Andy Pratt.

But Gidman and Jack Russell compiled an impressive unbroken sixth-wicket century stand before lunch.

Resistance

The partnership was worth 120 but Russell's resistance ended without him adding to his lunch score of 35 when he flashed at a short ball from Ian Pattison and was caught behind.

Durham turned to Gough's off spin and the move paid dividends as he grabbed two wickets in quick succession.

Gidman fell four short of a what would have been a deserved century when he propped forward to Gough and was snapped up at silly mid-on by Gordon Muchall.

Gidman faced 138 balls, striking 12 fours and a six.

It soon became 314 for eight when Roger Sillence (nine) edged Gough to Ashley Thorpe at second slip but some lusty blows by Ian Fisher and Jon Lewis took the lead to in excess of 100.

Harmison came back to grab the last two wickets, having both Lewis (13) and Fisher (37) caught behind to finish with five for 65.

Durham's suspect batting stood up to the test in their second innings with Gough playing particularly well in an opening stand with Pratt.

Pratt departed just before the close, sweeping left-arm spinner Fisher to Mark Alleyne at square leg but Brad Hodge helped Gough to make sure the contest remained evenly poised.

Gloucestershire: C M Spearman, J A Pearson, T H C Hancock, M G N Windows, M W Alleyne (Capt), A P R Gidman, R C Russell (Wkt), I D Fisher, R J Sillence, J Lewis, A M Smith.

Durham: M A Gough, G J Pratt, B J Hodge (Capt), G J Muchall, A M Thorpe, I Pattison, A Pratt (Wkt), I D Hunter, G D Bridge, A M Davies, S J Harmison.