DERBYSHIRE were set 346 for victory when Hampshire declared on the third day of their LV County Championship match at the Ageas Bowl.
That came after an unbeaten 60 from Tony Palladino helped Derbyshire avoid any chance of being made to follow on as they reached 257 all out, restricting the Hampshire first innings lead to 131.
The home side declared their second innings on 214-5 and Derbyshire made it safely through the final 14 overs of the day at 31-0.
Palladino and Tim Groenewald put on 65 for the ninth wicket to carry their side beyond the 239 they needed to take the follow-on option away from Hampshire, though it is doubtful whether they would have enforced it anyway.
With Hampshire able to take the new ball only one over into day three, David Wainwright was out in the seventh over when he was bowled for one by a Kyle Abbott delivery that nipped back at him at 180-8.
But Palladino was playing well and with plenty of determination as he moved towards his first 50 of the season. He reached it by cover driving Danny Briggs for his fourth four off the 82nd ball he faced.
But, next ball, Groenewald was run out for 23 attempting a quick single to make it 245-9. Groenewald rode his luck and was given a torrid time by Abbott but it was a very valuable contribution.
Mark Footitt helped take Derbyshire to a second batting point before he was stumped aiming a huge drive at Briggs for five. Left-arm spinner Briggs finished with an outstanding 5-50 off 28.3 overs.
Palladino's good day continued with his first ball as Will Smith pushed at what was no more than a loosener and nicked a catch through to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross for nine at 14-1.
Jimmy Adams and Joe Gatting cut loose when Derbyshire brought on the spinners to get their over-rate back up until Gatting was caught at slip for 39 to give Wainwright a first wicket in the match at 94-2.
James Vince (40) and Sean Ervine (32 not out) helped boost the Hampshire total as Adams finally went for 67 and there were two wickets for Scott Elstone, his first in first-class cricket, before the declaration.
That left Derbyshire an awkward final spell to negotiate but Stephen Moore (22) and Paul Borrington (9) did that very well.
