Tony Palladino (2-27) and Wes Durston (2-36) claimed two wickets apiece as Derbyshire shared an even Day Two with Surrey at the Kia Oval.
Chesney Hughes had earlier top-scored with 96 as the visitors were bowled out for 313 in the morning session, with Matt Critchley (31) and Palladino (31) also providing valuable contributions.
Palladino and Durston helped Derbyshire to keep a tight rein on Surrey’s progress with wickets at crucial stages as the hosts closed on 227-5, trailing Derbyshire by 86 runs.
Tom Milnes was trapped lbw by James Burke for 10 as Derbyshire resumed on 209-5 on the morning of Day Two, before Hughes fell four runs short of his century, with Zafar Ansari taking the catch off the bowling of Tom Curran.
Palladino and Critchley shared a useful eighth-wicket stand of 50 until the former became Tom Curran’s third victim as he was lbw for 31.
The same bowler then removed Critchley (31) and Mark Footitt (15) before lunch to seal a five-wicket haul as Derbyshire were dismissed for 313.
Surrey made a solid start to their reply in the afternoon session, but Palladino had Arun Harinath caught at second slip and the big wicket of Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara caught behind in quick succession to reduce the home side to 48-2.
#MatchAction: @mattcritchley96 celebrates the wicket of Steven Davies at the Kia Oval today #SURvDER #P2bD pic.twitter.com/oeHeeFtVFn
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 2, 2015
Rory Burns, however, led the recovery for his side as he brought up his half-century shortly before the tea interval in a partnership of 83 with Ben Foakes.
Foakes was caught by Billy Godleman off the bowling of Durston for 31 when play resumed, with the Derbyshire all-rounder then dismissing Burns for a well-made 92.
Critchley bowled former England international Steven Davies for 22 as Surrey were reduced to 172-5.
But Ireland international Gary Wilson (36 not out) and Ansari (21 not out) kept Derbyshire’s attack at bay for the final 40 minutes on Day Two as Surrey reached stumps on 227-5, trailing the visitors by 86 runs.
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