Mike Powell and Jim Allenby both scored 55 as Glamorgan's LV County Championship clash with Northamptonshire moved closer to a draw at Wantage Road.

Allenby smashed his half-century from 50 balls, including 10 fours, while Powell's innings was in stark contrast, lasting 171 balls as Glamorgan consolidated on another weather-affected day.

England spinner Monty Panesar finally found form with three for 55 - his best of the season - as Northants bowled the visitors out for 383.

The hosts started their second innings with a deficit of 33 and lost Rob White early for nine before bad light stopped play with Northants 19 for one.

Cool, cloudy conditions promised much for Northants' seam bowlers on the third morning, but Andrew Hall and David Lucas found little movement through the air or off the seam.

Their steady line and length did ensure that Glamorgan, starting on 149 for three, only scored nine runs in as many overs prior to a 50-minute break for rain.

Skipper Nicky Boje immediately turned to spin afterwards and the decision paid dividends as he trapped Jamie Dalrymple for 27 with the score at 196 for four.

Powell completed a painstaking half-century off 171 balls before lunch but did not last much longer after the interval falling to Jack Brooks.

Incoming batsmen Allenby was clearly in the mood to follow Powell's lead, smashing 28 from two Lucas overs as he passed 50 from just 44 balls.

The Australian added 87 with wicketkeeper Mark Wallace but just as Glamorgan looked to be running away with the match, Northants struck three times in the space of 10 overs.

Allenby, Wallace and Robert Croft were all clean bowled by David Wigley, Panesar and Brooks respectively as they found movement and bounce.

Despite a flurry of wickets Glamorgan progressed beyond Northants' total of 350 before losing James Harris to wicketkeeper Riki Wessels for 26 off the bowling of South African Andrew Hall.

Seamer Adam Shantry hit a valiant 32 off 47 balls before becoming Panesar's third victim as Glamorgan were bowled out in the 123rd over with a lead of 33.

Northants began their second innings in the worst possible fashion with Harris trapping White lbw.

However, it did not last much longer with Stephen Peters and Alex Wakely taking the light 14 runs behind after seven overs.