Northants cashed in on their decision to declare on 414-7 following the day two washout at the Riverside, reducing Durham to 171-6 at stumps on day three.

Aussie seamer Damien Wright led the attack, removing countryman Jimmy Maher for a duck en route to figures of 4-38.

But Gareth Breese and Liam Plunkett then forged an unbroken stand of 56.

If Northants take maximum points from this match and next week's visit of Yorkshire, Durham would need seven from this game to ensure promotion.