Aiden Markram led a Durham fightback on day three of their Specsavers County Championship Division Two meeting against Leicestershire at Emirates Riverside.

The South African entered the crease under pressure after the home side had been dismissed for 184 in their first innings in reply to Leicestershire's total of 440. However, Markram ended his run of three-straight ducks, putting forward a fine performance, although he fell narrowly short of his century.

Cameron Steel and Will Smith also found their form, with the former scoring a 50, to almost erase the deficit and give Durham hope of salvaging a draw heading into the final day.

The home side began day three on 142-7, but were quickly skittled out as Varun Aaron, Neil Dexter and Gavin Griffiths wrapped up the innings. Griffiths finished with a career-best 4-34 as he ended Graham Clark's resistance, notching the final wicket.

Markram breathed a sigh of relief as he avoided his second pair on the bounce, getting off the mark with a glance into the legside. His confidence surged throughout his innings and was able to record a half-century, reaching the milestone in 75 deliveries, including nine boundaries.

Along with Steel, the duo brought up the 100-partnership in the 31st over and were able to gradually whittle down Leicestershire's advantage. Markram was pushing hard as he found his full flow before the tea break, dispatching the visitors' bowlers to the boundary with ease. However, he fell six short of his ton as he was dismissed lbw by Callum Parkinson just after the 150-partnership for the opening wicket.

Steel maintained his vigil at the crease and he recorded his first half-century of the term off 162 deliveries, finding the boundary five times.

Will Smith ensured that Durham did not suffer another batting collapse, combining with his team-mate for a stand of 50, which was unbroken at the close of play.

Durham still trail by 23 runs, but the efforts of their top order have given them hope of securing a draw.

Leicestershire lacked ideas with the ball as the pitch remained flat even after a change of ball. It will take a strong effort in the morning for the visitors to swing momentum back in their favour and end their 17-match winless run in the County Championship.

Markram admitted: "We need to get into a position where we can't lose, but still into where we are able to win the game. I think the game is on pretty level playing terms at the moment, which is exciting heading into tomorrow.

"It might have taken just one partnership to filter down to the others. It seems as though that's the way it's going. Graham Clark played a fantastic innings first dig, with the rest of us struggling. He fought nicely and found his feet. Hopefully the rest of the batters can feed off what's happened today.

"I take pride in my performance. I really don't like being the guy that's not contributing. I like to contribute for the side. Obviously I didn't do that in the first two games. I didn't start off well, but fortunately coming into the second innings today it worked out. It was a bit of a relief to be honest. I've been training hard to try to become accustomed to conditions, and slowly but surely I feel that I'm finding my feet."