WORCESTERSHIRE fought back and claimed eight wickets for 86 runs to earn a first innings lead of 41 on the second day of the LV= County Championship clash with Leicestershire at New Road.

Leicestershire had been well placed at 194-2 in reply to Worcestershire’s 321 all out.

But then the home side took command and maintained their record of claiming maximum bowling points for the 23rd match in succession.

Saeed Ajmal (4-66) and Joe Leach, with a burst of three wickets in 11 balls, did most of the damage as Leicestershire were dismissed for 280 in 71.5 overs.

The game took another twist when Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell and Tom Fell departed cheaply as their side closed on 48-2.

Worcestershire had resumed on 317-9 in their first innings with Shaaiq Choudhry unbeaten on 40 and Charlie Morris one. The pair added four more runs in 4.3 overs before Choudhry (42) was caught at deep mid-wicket pulling Charlie Shreck.

Shantry made the first breakthrough when Leicestershire replied when Robson (11), was trapped lbw.

Smith reached his half-century off 68 balls as Leicestershire reached 98-1 off 25 overs by lunch.

Saeed accounted for Ned Eckersley (48) and he also removed Smith (85) and Rob Taylor (0), while Shantry trapped Redfern lbw.

Saeed collected his 60th Championship wicket of the season when Josh Cobb (30) fell lbw and Leach wrapped up the Leicestershire innings in quick-fire fashion.

Jigar Naik (12) was bowled by a delivery which kept low, Nathan Buck (4) departed to a sharp catch by wicketkeeper Ben Cox standing up and Charlie Shreck (0) drove loosely and was also bowled.

Worcestershire were left with 15 overs batting and Mitchell (4) was dismissed when he drove at Buck and was caught behind.

In the same over Fell departed lbw for a duck with the County total still on 21 as Leicestershire hit back.