A BATTLING 73 not out from Ben Smith gave Worcestershire something to play for after a catastrophic batting collapse threatened to cost them the game.

Having slumped to 26-4, the County were facing a heavy defeat but Smith and Roger Sillence (51) put on 104 in 22 overs as the New Road side posted 169-9 -- a lead of 164.

However, a seemingly small victory total could still take some getting for Gloucestershire on a fourth day pitch, which will offer plenty of assistance to the bowlers.

The visitors started the day on 115-2 and it took a moment of magic from Gareth Batty to get the hosts' first breakthrough.

Kadeer Ali, the former New Road batsman, skipped down the track and hit a firm on-drive, but its progress to the boundary was halted by the out-stretched right hand of the County's vice-captain.

Alex Gidman joined Hamish Marshall in the middle and they took the score to 203 before the New Zealander was well caught at first slip by Graeme Hick off Ray Price for a fine 112.

Gidman followed Marshall back to the pavilion when Batty turned one through the gate and hit the timbers.

Pace duo Matt Mason and Zaheer Khan, who completed his fifth five-wicket haul of the season, mopped up the last five wickets for 41. With the bit between his teeth, Lewis produced a devastating 3.4-over spell as Worcestershire crumbled.

For the second time in the match, Vikram Solanki found himself striding to the middle in his side's first over.

Stephen Moore was caught at short-leg before Lou Vincent completed a miserable Championship debut by bagging a pair when he edged a great ball from Lewis to Harvey at third slip.

A Lewis ball that kept low trapped Solanki in front for six as the County slumped to 18-3.

And when Hick nicked a delivery to Adshead, Lewis had taken 4-17 to leave Worcestershire staring down the barrel.

Steve Kirby removed Steve Davies and Batty quickly.

Considering the circumstances, Sillence and Smith batted brilliantly, with the former registering his maiden Worcestershire half-century in the process.