PAUL Collingwood continued to justify his decision to play on this season by guiding Durham towards a healthy first innings lead at Taunton.

The captain followed his five-wicket haul on the first day by reaching 86 at tea with his side on 347 for six, leading by 48.

The men out in the afternoon were Calum MacLeod, lbw to Tim Groenewald for 44 when playing across the line, and Phil Mustard for 22.

The wicketkeeper had played himself in carefully and looked in no trouble until he edged Peter Trego through the slips for four just before edging the same bowler to wicketkeeper Alex Barrow.

At 280 for six Durham were 18 behind when Paul Coughlin was sent in ahead of John Hastings, showing that Durham rate him as a genuine all-rounder.

He justified the faith by looking entirely at home on his way to 18 at tea, helping his captain to maximise returns from the last few overs of the old ball.

Collingwood survived two scares in the 40s. He had to dive into his crease when going back for a second to third man then edged a drive at Lewis Gregory. Barrow dived to his right but couldn't hang on.

Collingwood reached 50 off 88 balls then greeted the return of Abdur Rehmann by driving him over long-on for six then turning his next ball through mid-wicket for four.