DURHAM battled hard on a tough morning at Southport, losing three wickets to reach lunch on 169 for six, 35 behind.

They survived the expected examination from Jimmy Anderson, only for Ben Stokes to fall to Matt Parkinson's first ball.

Stokes had been unusually watchful in making 21 off 70 balls and would probably have fancied his chances against the 19-year-old leg-spinner. But he propped forward and gave a return catch off bat and pad.

Scott Borthwick also fought valiantly in reaching 64 before he was bowled when beaten by both flight and sharp turn from left-armer Simon Kerrigan.

Both overnight batsmen enjoyed some early fortune against Luke Procter, the whirligig medium pacer who took two late wickets yesterday.

Stokes survived a low chance to Anderson at third slip on eight and Borthwick had added two to his overnight 37 in 12 overs when he edged wide of the slips for four.

He drove Procter through extra cover for his seventh four to reach 50 off 109 balls, but had to remain circumspect on a pitch where only Alviro Petersen has achieved any fluency.

Michael Richardson looked as good as anyone in making 28 before he dabbled fatally at Kyle Jarvis in the over before lunch and edged to first slip.

Paul Collingwood defied the stitched split webbing in his left hand to reach four at the break with debut boy Adam Hickey due in next.