Hampshire skipper Dimitri Mascarenhas did just enough in an intriguing battle with Steve Harmison to give his side the edge in their LV County Championship clash against Durham at Chester-le-Street today.

Mascarenhas made 74 before Harmison bowled him to complete his first five-wicket haul of the season, and although the paceman quickly added the final wicket Durham were left with a stiff target of 294.

They closed on 185 for six with skipper Dale Benkenstein unbeaten on 46 and 109 still needed.

After his heroic 14-over spell on Saturday evening dragged Durham back into the match, Harmison came under fire this morning as Mascarenhas cut loose following the early loss of two wickets to Callum Thorp.

Hampshire were 223 ahead when they resumed on 186 for six but they added only three before the stand of 55 was ended when Sean Ervine tried to pull Thorp and was bowled for 49.

In his next over Thorp had Chris Tremlett caught behind but Mascarenhas twice pulled Harmison for four in front of mid-wicket and also cut him for six.

The 47 runs he added to his overnight 27 came off 58 balls and he hit 13 fours in total.

Harmison's 9.3 overs today cost 50 runs and he finished with six for 122 when he wrapped up the innings by finding the shoulder of Shane Bond's bat for a catch by Harmison's brother Ben.

Durham's chances looked remote when Michael Di Venuto departed in the seventh over, the last before lunch, edging the impressive Tremlett to wicketkeeper Nic Pothas.

Mark Stoneman edged Bond to third slip before Will Smith and Neil McKenzie dug in to add 58 in 29 overs.

Off spinner Greg Lamb was brought on straight after tea and in his second over Smith attempted a sweep and dragged the ball into his stumps.

He made 33 and McKenzie departed six overs later for 48 when he edged the first ball of a new spell by Mascarenhas to Pothas.

It was McKenzie's highest score in eight championship innings and he now departs to join the South African tour party.

Phil Mustard continued his poor run when he drove Bond to mid-on and seven overs from the close Ben Harmison edged Ervine to second slip, leaving Paul Wiseman to keep Benkenstein company to the close.