AFTER a day and a half in which the Chester-le-Street pitch was a seamers' paradise, Durham had to turn to the spinners on a sunny morning after a Neil Dexter century put Middlesex in command.

The only wicket in the first 90 minutes came from a poor ball, but from 212 for five, leading by 241, Middlesex lost three wickets for one run. They reached lunch on 219 for eight.

Dexter's second 50 came off only 55 balls and he celebrated his 13th first-class hundred by driving Ryan Pringle over long-on for six. But when the off-spinner went round the wicket Dexter nibbled at one outside off stump and edged behind to depart for 112.

Scott Borthwick came on for the next over and struck with his first ball, a full toss which had John Simpson lbw when his missed an attempted sweep.

Ollie Rayner failed to heed the lesson as he went the same way in the leg-spinner's next over.

Batting looked much more straightforward than yesterday as Dexter dominated in extending his stand with Dawid Malan to 110.

Malan looked aghast to be given out caught behind for 63 after chasing a ball from Graham Onions which was well wide of leg stump.

Dexter reached 50 off 76 balls with an all-run four and continued to drive fluently while Simpson dug in.

With John Hastings still struggling Durham were short of resources and the introduction of Pringle did not initially look promising as he conceded 19 in his first three overs.

But the three quick wickets kept Durham afloat, leaving Jamie Harris and Toby Roland-Jones to take Middlesex through to lunch.