Tom Fell and Joe Clarke boosted promotion-chasing Worcestershire's victory hopes with an unbroken third wicket stand of 95 against Glamorgan on day two of the Specsavers County Championship clash at New Road.
The pair joined forces at 55-2 with the home side 62 runs in arrears after Glamorgan had extended their first innings from an overnight 118-5 to 280 all out despite another five wicket haul from Joe Leach – his fourth of the season.
Fell survived a low chance when on two, spilled by keeper Mark Wallace off Graham Wagg but otherwise looked in excellent touch.
He went on to complete his second Championship 50 – from 101 deliveries with nine fours – since returning to the side after being given the all clear in his battle against cancer.
By the close the 22-year-old was unbeaten on 65 from 124 balls and Clarke 32 from 87 deliveries with Worcestershire leading by 33 on 150-2.
Glamorgan had resumed on 118-5 after 15 wickets had gone down on the opening day.
Leach made an early breakthrough when Owen Morgan (21) shouldered arms and had his stumps shattered.
Will Bragg, who resumed on 75, moved to within two runs of his third Championship hundred of the season but then pushed forward to Ed Barnard and was bowled via the inside edge.
He struck 16 fours in his 133 ball innings.
Glamorgan were then still two runs in arrears but Wallace, who had opened in the previous seven Championship matches, effectively shepherded the last three wickets in adding 119 runs.
Skipper Jacques Rudolph's decision to return to the top of the order led to Wallace moving down to number nine and he responded by making an unbeaten 67.
He struck 10 fours and a six in his 78 ball knock and added 75 for the eighth wicket with Wagg.
Leach struck twice in an over to remove Wagg (46) and Michael Hogan (4) before Barnard accounted for Lukas Carey (11).
Leach finished with 5-106 from 22 overs to take his Championship tally to 45 for the campaign.
When Worcestershire launched their reply, Brett D'Oliveira (16) drove at Wagg and was caught behind.
Skipper Daryl Mitchell looked in good touch but after making 33 he pulled a short ball from Carey into the hands of Craig Meschede at mid wicket.
Then came the Fell-Clarke partnership to put the game back in the balance.
