LEICESTERSHIRE, seeking their first home win of the season, were pegged back by Worcestershire on a rain-hit first day of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two clash at Grace Road.

On a day reduced to 43 overs after morning rain, the home side struggled to 119-3 by the close.

Worcestershire struck the biggest blow three overs from the end when left-arm spinner Ray Price dismissed opener Darren Maddy one run short of what would have been only his second half-century of the season.

Maddy had played a gritty, patient innings lasting 127 balls and containing eight well-struck boundaries.

But in the 40th over, on 49, he pushed forward and was bowled between bat and pad in what has become a frustrating season for him.

It was the fourth time he has been dismissed in the 40s -- and the third time in his last four innings.

Maddy and Darren Robinson shared a solid opening partnership of 49 after Leicestershire had won the toss when play finally began in mid-afternoon.

Robinson, who has been in fine form with two centuries to his name already, could count himself unfortunate to be run out having contributed 31 to the partnership.

Maddy straight drove Chaminda Vaas, playing his final game for Worcestershire, only for the bowler to deflect the ball onto the stumps -- with Robinson run out backing up.

Maddy and John Maunders then added another 39 runs before Maunders edged a swinging delivery from Nadeem Malik to wicketkeeper James Pipe having made 19.

With Dinesh Mongia immediately into his stride and Maddy looking comfortable, Leicestershire looked set to reach the close without further loss. That was until Price struck the late blow to leave the game evenly poised going into the second day.

A lot will now hinge on key Leicestershire batsman Hylton Ackerman and Mongia, who was on 17 at the close. But rain delayed the start today.