MARK Stoneman completed a very impressive century, only to fall for 114 as Durham tried to press on with rain on its way.

It arrived at 2.45 with the score on 193 for four, giving them a lead of 233, which they would dearly like to extend to 300 going into the final day.

The floodlights were switched on after lunch and Durham were granted an extra hour’s batting they might not otherwise have had.

But they lost three wickets, starting with Keaton Jennings falling lbw to Ben Phillips without adding to his 31.

As Stoneman twice flipped left-arm spinner Graeme White to fine leg then lofted him to long-on it was obvious that Durham were trying to hurry along.

A cover drive off White gave Stoneman his 14th four and took him to his fourth first-class century off 137 balls, then Phil Mustard lifted White over mid-wicket for six.

Stoneman was dropped on 106 and 108, by Alex Hales at deep backward square leg then Paul Franks, who parried the ball over for six at long leg. But the next ball from Phillips skidded through low to pin Stoneman lbw.

Just before the rain arrived Mustard was caught behind off Andy Carter for 21 and before Paul Collingwood had taken guard the umpires called a halt.