Mark Footitt claimed 4-49 as Derbyshire and Leicestershire shared an even second day in the LV= County Championship at Grace Road.
Derbyshire were dismissed for 345 in the morning session of Day Two as Wayne Madsen finished unbeaten on 172 with Footitt scoring a career-best 34.
Footitt was also on song with the ball but Mark Cosgrove (102) hit a century while Niall O’Brien (60) and Angus Robson (53) scored fifties for Leicestershire as they closed on 304-8, trailing by 41 runs heading into Day Three.
Resuming on 320-8 on the morning of Day Two, Footitt quickly surpassed his previous highest first-class score of 30 which came against Surrey back in 2010.
His entertaining cameo came to a conclusion shortly after as Charlie Shreck bowled him to end a ninth-wicket partnership of 55. Ben Cotton was then bowled by Clint McKay for four as Derbyshire were dismissed for 345, with Madsen not out on 172.
Leicestershire lost their first wicket in the 7th over of their reply, as Footitt had Lewis Hill caught at first slip by Wes Durston for five. Ned Eckersley was then run out without scoring with Alex Hughes producing a direct hit to reduce the hosts to 15-2.
Robson brought his half-century up on the cusp of lunch with four successive boundaries but he was dismissed at the start of the afternoon session as Footitt had him caught behind for 53 to claim his 250th first-class wicket.
Tony Palladino trapped Aadil Ali lbw for 10 before Cosgrove reached his fifty from 67 balls to move the score on to 135-4.
Cosgrove accelerated from then onwards alongside Ireland international O’Brien as the pair guided their side past the 200 mark.
The Leicestershire Captain reached his century prior to being dismissed the following ball by Footitt who grabbed his third wicket as Madsen took a smart catch.
Palladino bowled Andrea Agathangelou in the second over of the evening session, with O’Brien bringing up his own half-century as Leicestershire moved on to 250-6.
Footitt claimed his fourth wicket as Ben Raine was caught by Alex Hughes at square-leg for three before Shiv Thakor took his first wicket as O’Brien was lbw for 60.
Lower order batsmen Rob Sayer and Clint McKay guided Leicestershire through to stumps on 304-8 with a useful unbeaten stand of 26 as the deficit stood at just 41 runs heading into the third day.
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Derbyshire take a trip to Durham on Monday 17 August before returning to The 3aaa County Ground for the final game of the group stages versus Worcestershire on Tuesday 18 August. Kids go FREE and Adults can save £4 on their admission by purchasing in advance.
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