WORCESTERSHIRE today looked to be heading for a damaging setback to their Frizzell County Championship Division Two promotion bid against Middlesex at New Road.

The County, following on 212 behind, closed last night on 251-5 -- a lead of just 39.

Graeme Hick (69) and Ben Smith (60) put on 117 for the third wicket, but once that stand was broken Middlesex began to tighten the screw.

The County's problems began to mount shortly after they resumed their first innings 300 behind on 231-2. Their initial task of making 382 to avoid the follow-on suffered a major blow when Hick, unbeaten on 101 overnight, failed to add to his score.

He faced just eight balls before driving at Ashley Noffke and being caught at second slip by Paul Weekes.

Hick's rapid departure signalled a grim decline by Worcestershire who lost eight wickets for 88 runs in 30.1 overs.

Noffke and fellow paceman Chad Keegan were the main destroyers with figures of 4-84 and 4-47.

Smith, 38 not out overnight, fell for 50, which included seven fours off 109 balls, while a battling 39 by David Leatherdale was ended by Keegan.

Last night Leatherdale was there again trying to keep Middlesex at bay with an undefeated 30.