Half-centuries from Billy Godleman (86), Wayne Madsen (69) and Tom Lace (69 not out) helped Derbyshire to a lead of 86 runs on Day Three of the Specsavers County Championship match against Gloucestershire.
Luis Reece claimed three wickets in the morning session to dismiss the visitors for 419, before Derbyshire made it to 305-3 before the close of play in Derby.
Derbyshire head into the final day with Lace unbeaten on 69 and Leus du Plooy not out on 27, leading by 86 runs with seven wickets in hand at The Pattonair County Ground.
Having endured a difficult time with the ball on Day Two, Derbyshire made the perfect start on the third morning as Reece claimed the three remaining Gloucestershire wickets with just 23 runs added to their overnight total.
Derbyshire began their innings with a deficit of 219 runs, but a partnership of 71 between Godleman and Reece whittled away at Gloucestershire’s lead, before Reece (38) was trapped lbw by Ben Allison.
Madsen picked up where Reece had left off as he put on 106 runs with Godleman, as the Derbyshire captain reached his half-century in 84 balls, including six fours.
Godleman made it to 86, passing 5,000 first-class runs for Derbyshire in the process, before he was caught behind off Josh Shaw, with Madsen bringing up a 93-ball 50 soon after, including ten fours.
Madsen was caught by Chris Dent off Allison for 69, leaving Derbyshire 245-3 but a partnership of 60 between Lace and du Plooy saw the hosts end the day 305-3, leading by 86 runs.
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