JOHN Hastings finally had some reward for his unstinting toil when he took four wickets as Middlesex declined from their overnight 327 for four to 463 all out.

Durham have replied with 35 without loss and the suspicion is that the match could not afford the 50 minutes of lost time at the start of the second day.

It was no surprise that Hastings struck quickly after the delayed start as he had gone very close to bowling left-hander James Franklin from round the wicket the previous evening.

The left-hander had his off stump knocked back then nightwatchman James Harris edged an attempted cut to Phil Mustard to give Durham their second bowling point.

That was as good as they could hope for after the first day's toil and as long as they don't lose they will be top of the table.

They were held up by a seventh-wicket stand of 58 between Neil Dexter and Joe Simpson, which ended when Dexter hooked Hastings to Usman Arshad at long leg.

Ollie Rayner was lbw playing across a full-length swinger from Chris Rushworth, Tim Murtagh was bowled by Scott Borthwick through an attempted pull and Simpson was last out for 58 when he lobbed a slow bouncer from Hastings to mid-off.

Middlesex weren't helped by Murtagh pulling up after two balls. He suffered an injury in the last game and his place in the Ireland team to play England on Friday must be in doubt.