The early loss of skipper Edwards was a big blow for England

England were forced on to the defensive by tight Indian bowling as they slumped to 103-7 in the women's Test in Delhi.

The situation would have been even worse but for a patient innings of 37 by Arran Brindle, and they still need another 37 to avoid the follow-on.

Goswami claimed 4-16 and was supported well by spinners Nooshin Al-Khadeer and Neetu David, who conceded only 15 runs from a combined total of 31 overs.

India were bowled out for 289 earlier in the day as Laura Harper took 5-66.

It was the Somerset off-spinner's first five-wicket haul for England in a Test and fully justified her recall to the squad in place of injured Clare Connor.

The home side only added 48 to their overnight total for the loss of their final five wickets.

Three of them went to Harper before Jenny Gunn (2-44) ended the innings by bowling number 11 Neetu David.

England had begun the game in confident mood with four successive one-day wins behind them but an inspired new ball spell from Goswami left their top order in tatters.

She bowled Laura Newton and skipper Charlotte Edwards for six and 12 respectively and then had Claire Taylor caught behind for five.

We've done well to claw it back because at one point it looked like we would struggle to get 100 Laura Harper

Gunn and Lydia Greenway fell cheaply to medium pacer Rumeli Dhar and at tea, England were in dire straits on 56-5.

Harper was stumped for 10 following the re-start and although Rosalie Birch provided Brindle with the support she needed in a stand lasting 99 minutes, they were rendered almost strokeless as Al-Khadeer and David strangled the scoring rate.

Brindle's two and a quarter hours of resistance was ended when she was caught behind off Goswami and although Birch survived to reach 14 not out at the close, England are facing the prospect of a large first innings deficit.

Harper said afterwards: "It was tough going to start off with, there was not a lot of turn but I got stuck in.

"We've done well to claw it back because at one point it looked like we would struggle to get 100.