Paceman Mitchell McClenaghan picked up two wickets but Worcestershire were made to work hard for their rewards on the second day of the LV = County Championship clash with Surrey at New Road.
McClenaghan dismissed openers Rory Burns and Zafar Ansari and there was also a wicket apiece for Joe Leach and Jack Shantry.
Worcestershire did not have Lady Luck on their side in terms of nicks not carrying to fielders and they also spilled a couple of chances.
But Surrey steadily built partnerships throughout the day and by tea had reached 292-4 off 81 overs.
Surrey resumed today on 59-0 from 17 overs – still 213 in arrears.
Burns continued in the same free-scoring vein of yesterday and square cut and drove Charlie Morris for early boundaries.
McClenaghan began with a maiden from the Diglis End and made the first breakthrough in his second over of the morning.
Ansari on 18 drove at the New Zealand paceman and edged through to keeper Ben Cox with the total on 70.
Former Worcestershire batsman Vikram Solanki received a warm reception on his first appearance at New Road since leaving the county at the end of the 2012 season.
Burns went to his half century off 59 balls with eight boundaries.
Leach came into the attack at the Diglis End and he removed Solanki for 28 with his first delivery.
Solanki only succeeded in edging to Tom Kohler-Cadmore at slip after he had drove at Leach.
Surrey were then 122-2 in the 35th over.
Solanki was replaced by another ex Worcestershire player in Steven Davies who was fortunate to nick Leach for four.
The 150 came up in the 40th over and Burns completed 1,000 first class runs for the season when he reached 83.
England spinner Moeen Ali came into the attack but Surrey continued to score freely with Davies picking up several boundaries in quick succession.
By lunch Burns had moved onto 88 and Davies 48 out of 186-2 from 48 overs.
Burns had a let off on 89 when dropped at mid wicket off McClenaghan but it did not prove a costly miss.
Two runs later McClenaghan was rewarded when Burns was caught behind after driving at the paceman.
His 91 spanned 141 balls and contained 15 fours.
Davies went to his 50 off 59 balls with nine fours. But after making 69 he was dismissed by Shantry with Tom Kohler-Cadmore pouching the chance at first slip with Surrey 222-4 in the 63rd over.
Surrey skipper Gary Wilson had a let-off on 21 when Kohler-Cadmore put down a head high chance at short mid-wicket off Moeen.
By tea Wilson was unbeaten on 39 and Jason Roy 43.
