Durham narrowed the gap at the top of the County Championship after claiming maximum bonus points from their draw with title rivals Somerset at Taunton.

Although Somerset reached 181-2 at stumps to remain second in the table, Durham's score of 400-7 declared made sure they earned the superior return.

Resuming on 256-3, Durham lost Michael Di Venuto (135) before Dale Benkenstein (62no) and Paul Wiseman (52) rallied.

Justin Langer then hit a tremendous 109 not out to help Somerset to safety.

Durham began the match seven points behind their opponents but have enjoyed a five point swing and move up to third.

And with two rounds of matches left just four points separates four sides at the summit, where Hampshire sit.

They had Harmison who is in career-best form - the fact we weathered the storm and got a draw out of it means we go into the final two games right in the mix Somerset captain Justin Langer

Contrasting half-centuries from captain Benkenstein and Wiseman ensured the full set after three morning wickets left Durham 300-6 and requiring 100 runs in 24 overs.

Centurion Di Venuto was one of the fallen trio, run out in the sixth full over of the day, but at lunch Durham required just 23 more runs in the afternoon session.

Benkenstein struck a disciplined half-century while a higher-tempo contribution from Wiseman led to the declaration.

Somerset seamer Alfonso Thomas had earlier accounted for left-handers Ben Harmison and Phil Mustard.

Harmison was snapped up at short extra-cover by a diving James Hildreth and Mustard followed when Somerset captain Langer pulled down a chance high to his right at mid-off.

Bidding for a unlikely victory, England paceman Steve Harmison dismissed former international team-mate Marcus Trescothick for the second time in the match with one that nipped away off the pitch.

In the end we obviously are happy with 12 points but we could have put them under pressure and pushed for a win Durham captain Dale Benkenstein

The Australian left-hander got to three figures with a finely swept four off Wiseman and was shaking hands on a stalemate 15 minutes later.

Langer shared a 115-run stand for the second wicket with James Hildreth, who became Harmison's 50th Championship victim of the summer via a mis-hit pull to square leg.

"They had Harmison who is in career-best form I would have thought," said Langer. "So I knew it was going to be a tough day for us.

"The fact we weathered the storm and got a draw out of it - while it's not ideal - means we go into the final two games right in the mix.

"I would rather be in our shoes rather than other clubs' shoes."

Benkenstein said: "In the end we obviously are happy with 12 points but we could have put them under pressure and pushed for a win.

"Hopefully the weather doesn't play a part and it will be whoever can win one of the next two games."

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