Northamptonshire picked up three Leicestershire second innings wickets as they fought to complete a win that would keep them in with a chance of winning promotion from Division Two of the Specsavers county championship.

Resuming in their first innings on 199-8, the visitors picked up a batting bonus point before losing their last two wickets, Josh Cobb caught behind driving to give Leicestershire all-rounder Ben Raine his fifth wicket of the innings, and Ben Sanderson bowled by Dieter Klein.

Openers Michael Carberry and Sam Evans took the score to 27 when Leicestershire began their second innings, before Carberry was leg before to a quick in-swinger from Richard Gleeson. Ned Eckersley, who was dropped by wicket-keeper David Murphy off Luke Procter when he was on 12, added only seven more runs to his score before being trapped in front by Ben Sanderson.

Shortly before lunch, the 19-year-old Evans, having battled his way to 29, was unfortunate to become the third leg before victim of the innings, replays suggesting he had been hit outside the line of off-stump when given leg before to off-spinner Rob Keogh.

Northamptonshire need 197 to complete a ninth victory of the season, and remain in with a chance of securing promotion, after Leicestershire lost their last five second innings wickets in adding just 39 runs.

Shorn of leading wicket-taker Rory Kleinveldt through injury picked up the previous day, the visitors' bowling attack looked to be struggling with the Foxes on 228-5 at tea. Mark Cosgrove appeared to be taking the game away from the visitors in racing to 80, but seamer Ben Sanderson won a leg before decision against the Foxes' skipper, before all-rounder Ben Raine hooked a bouncer from the same bowler straight to deep square leg to open an end.

On-loan left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan had Zak Chappell stumped as he dragged his back foot attempting a straight hit, Richard Gleeson had a disbelieving Lewis Hill leg before and Kerrigan bowled Dieter Klein to leave Northants with a target of 197 to win. 

Luke Procter and Rob Newton reduced that by 17 before bad light and rain ended play 16 overs early.

Earlier the visitors had picked up a batting bonus point before losing their last two wickets, Josh Cobb caught behind driving to give Raine his fifth wicket of the innings before Sanderson was bowled by Klein.

Leicestershire openers Michael Carberry and Sam Evans took the score to 27 before Carberry was leg before to a quick in-swinger from Gleeson. Ned Eckersley, who was dropped by wicket-keeper David Murphy off Luke Procter when he was on 12, added only seven more runs to his score before being trapped in front by Sanderson.

Shortly before lunch, the 19-year-old Evans, having battled his way to 29, was unfortunate to become the third leg before victim of the innings, replays suggesting he had been hit outside the line of off-stump when given leg before to off-spinner Rob Keogh.

With the sun out, Leicestershire lost just two wickets in the afternoon session. Aadil Ali, having hit the previous delivery for four, charged down the wicket, missed and was easily stumped off Kerrigan for 37, and Neil Dexter had scored just 2 when he edged a bouncing, turning delivery from the same bowler to slip.

Cosgrove however took full toll of the tiring Northants attack, hitting seven fours and a six in going to his 50 off 84 balls. He found good support from Hill, the pair adding 57 for the sixth wicket before the break.

Northants spinner Simon Kerrigan said:

"We had to work hard today, and big credit goes to Ben Sanderson and Richard Gleeson, with Rory [Kleinveldt] going down injured, they've had to carry the attack and they've got their feet in ice right now!

"It was nice for me personally to get some overs in and pick up a few wickets. The ball that got Neil Dexter was a good one, he's a very good player of spin. It's an interesting one, because each day has had distinct phases - difficult to bat in the morning and evening, better in the afternoon.

"We're aware of what's going on at Hove of course, it's a little bit disappointing, but we can't control that. If we win it's nine wins for the season out of 14 and there's not much more you can do than that."

Leicestershire batsman and captain Mark Cosgrove:

"We're definitely still in this game - the pitch is turning, it's keeping low, and if we bowl well tomorrow morning with the overhead conditions in our favour and put a dent in them early it could be an interesting day.

"The morning sessions have been when wickets have been taken so hopefully we can create and take a few chances. 

"For myself I was pretty disappointed to get out [for 80] because I haven't got as many hundreds as I'd have liked this year. 

"I would have liked a lead of 250, but we won on the last day last year when it looked as though we were going to be beaten."