DORSET face an uphill task to evade a disappointing loss as Oxfordshire had the better of the second day in their Minor Counties match at Chapel Gate.

Resuming on 120-5, Oxfordshire made steady progress throughout the morning as Jordan Garrett (61) and James Fitzjohn (25) quietly went about their work.

Their sixth-wicket partnership of 68 was ended by the economical James Hayman (1-19), before Josh Digby dismissed Leo Bethell and Joe Butcher for ducks as Oxfordshire lost three wickets for one run.

At 183-8, their lead stood at just 47 runs but a late 26 from number 10 Joe Thomas, including two fours and a maximum, propelled the visitors over 200.

Jigar Naik then removed Garrett to end with figures of 6-58 as Oxfordshire closed on 227-9 from their 90 overs.

Dorset lost Digby (0) to a run out early in their second innings but a 45-run stand between Sam Collins (38) and Ed Ellis (16) settled the nerves.

That was until Thomas dismissed both men to leave Dorset on 65-3. New batsmen Michael Porter (36) and captain Chris Park (21) put on 49, yet Park’s dismissal to Butcher sparked another wobble as both Alex Eckland (2) and Porter fell, reducing the hosts to 122-6.

Dorset closed on 128-6 with Naik (5no) and Sam Thomson (2no) batting and will aim to quickly add to a tiny lead of 37 runs on the third day.