DORSET gave themselves a fighting chance of victory going into the final day of their Minor Counties Championship clash against Wiltshire at Devizes.

The hosts had closed day one on 37 for two in reply to Dorset’s first innings total of 285.

And Wiltshire were grateful for some lower order heroics from Tom Bowler (46) after they had lurched to 112 for seven.

Bowler and Ed Kilbee (106*) put on 87 for the ninth wicket after Tom Hicks (2-30) and Glyn Treagus (3-66) had starred with the ball for Dorset.

Wiltshire were eventually dismissed for 238 – a first innings deficit of 47.

And Dorset soon began to turn the screw in their second innings, with Nick Park (21) and Aaron Williams (97) making an early impression.

Wickets from Tahir Afridi (2-59) and Bowler (2-52) helped to stem the flow of runs.

But Darren Cowley (32) and James Park (22*) soon got their eyes in as the reigning Minor Counties champions finished day two on 225 for six – a big lead of 272.