Leicestershire dug their heels in and battled back after being challenged to score 301 runs to avoid an innings defeat by Derbyshire in their LV County Championship Division Two clash at Grace Road.

With captain Chris Rogers leading the way with 163, Derbyshire piled up 478 for eight before declaring their first innings 40 minutes after lunch having collected maximum batting points and established a lead of 301.

They then removed Leicestershire opener Greg Smith without a run on the board before a century stand between Matt Boyce and Boeta Dippenaar launched the home side's fight back.

Although Dippenaar was out for 37, Boyce, dropped on 17, was still there at the close on 72 with Leicestershire 154 for two, trailing by 147 runs.

The home side will be encouraged to feel they can survive the final day with the pitch having flattened out and Derbyshire without their leading wicket-taker Graham Wagg.

The left arm seamer, who suffered a shoulder injury on the first day, will not be able to bowl again in the match.

Derbyshire, who resumed on their overnight 277 for two, made their intentions clear as they chased runs as quickly as possible in order to give themselves plenty of time to push for their third win of the season that would be a massive boost to their promotion chances.

Rogers and Greg Smith took their third wicket partnership to 189 before Smith, five runs short of a century, was bowled by an excellent delivery from AJ Harris.

Smith had faced 138 balls and hit 15 boundaries.

Rogers looked in prime form scoring three boundaries in the early overs and reaching 150 with another four off Jigar Naik and following up with a glorious six off the same bowler.

But in the hunt for quick runs he too departed skying a catch to deep square leg off Wayne White having made 163 off 309 balls in a six-and-a-half hour innings.

After that Derbyshire's lower order continued the chase with Wavell Hinds producing a quick fire 40 that included three fours and two sixes and James Pipe making an unbeaten 32 before the declaration arrived 40 minutes after the lunch interval.

Left arm spinner Claude Henderson was the most successful of the home bowlers with three for 93 off 36 overs.

Leicestershire could not have made a worst start to their second innings with Smith caught at mid wicket off the second ball from Stefan Jones.

The same bowler then saw Boyce dropped by wicketkeeper Pike on 17 and the opener cashed in by reaching his second 50 of the season off 107 balls with eight boundaries.

Dippenaar played his part in a stand of 107 before losing his patience to provide a catch to mid wicket off Daniel Redfern.

But Boyce and Hylton Ackerman saw Leicestershire safely through to the close on 154 for two.