England Test bowler Steve Harmison took four wickets to add to his three first-innings strikes as Durham closed in on victory against Worcestershire.

The visitors began day three on 291-5, a lead of 413, and Dale Benkenstein's 234-ball 103 took Durham to 416.

Chasing a victory target of 538, the hosts made a fine start with Phil Jacques' 97 and Vikram Solanki (67) helped them to 131-1 in reply.

But Harmison's fine spell of 4-43 saw Worcs slump to 251-6, 288 runs behind.

That included trapping Stephen Moore lbw with the very first ball of the innings and came in a lethal spell of 11-2-24-3 from the England paceman.

Vikram Solanki and Jaques, however, delayed the visitors' bid to capitalise on Moore's early dismissal by confidently powering to an impressive century stand before the former was run out by Callum Thorp from extra cover off the first ball after tea.

And when Jacques fell offering no stroke to Harmison, Worcestershire's resistance began to stumble as Durham took a firm grip on proceedings.