Steve Kirby took his first-class wicket tally for the season to 56 as Surrey's batting collapsed on the second day of the County Championship match at Bristol.

The Gloucestershire pace bowler continued his push for international recognition with three for 32 to help bowl out the visitors for 183 after they had begun the day on 96 for one.

By the close the home side had replied with 224 for three, which included their highest opening stand of the season, 77 between Rob Woodman (32) and Kadeer Ali (39). Hamish Marshall contributed 72 not out and skipper Alex Gidman an unbeaten 62.

Kirby, who recently represented England Lions against the Australians, is enjoying a fine season and has taken his wickets at less than 20 apiece.

He began Gloucestershire's excellent morning by having Championship debutant Arun Harinath caught by the diving Marshall at second slip, having failed to add to his overnight score of 18.

It sparked a Surrey slump from 102 for one. They lost eight wickets for 73 in the opening session, Kirby also accounting for Stewart Walters, while James Franklin (three for 28) sent back Stuart Meaker and Usman Afzaal to add to his first day victim Michael Brown.

There were two wickets each for Ian Saxelby and Anthony Ireland and by the time Kirby ended the innings soon after lunch by dismissing Jade Dernbach for 18, hapless Surrey had lost their last nine wickets for 87 in less than 30 overs. Jonathan Batty top-scored with 43.

Poor batting has been Gloucestershire's problem after a promising start to the season so there was relief as Woodman and Kadeer put together one of few meaningful opening partnerships.

It was broken by a spirited spell from Alex Tudor just before an early tea was taken because of rain. He had Woodman caught behind and Kadeer taken in the slips in successive overs from the Pavilion End.

It was 88 for two at tea and no overs were lost as the rain quickly subsided. Will Porterfield fell quickly, bowled by Tim Linley, and Marshall and Gidman had to be watchful in building their fourth-wicket stand.

Both suddenly cut loose, Gidman hooking Tudor for six over backward square and Marshall clearing the ropes off both Meaker and Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Regana Herath, who did not enjoy a happy Championship baptism as his first seven overs went for 38.

Marshall was first to his half-century, off 71 balls, with six fours and two sixes. It signalled a return to form for the New Zealander, who had made just 251 runs in his last eight Championship appearances at an average of only 19.

Gidman's fifty occupied 72 deliveries and featured seven fours and a six. The unbroken partnership of 136 put Gloucestershire in a strong position to revive their flagging promotion hopes.