Cameron Bancroft compiled an unbeaten century – his first since rejoining Gloucestershire – to steer the visitors into position for a final-day victory push against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The Australian opener, now in his second stint with Gloucestershire, hit 130 not out to underpin a second-innings total of 319-5 declared – an overall lead of 557.

That strengthened his side’s prospects of a first County Championship win since the 2022 campaign, with almost four and a half sessions in which to dismiss Northamptonshire for a second time.

But Gloucestershire encountered dogged resistance from Emilio Gay, who registered 74 and shared a 106 partnership with Luke Procter (45 not out) as the hosts closed on 144-2.

Already 315 ahead when play resumed, Gloucestershire set about extending that advantage, with spinner Liam Patterson-White collecting all three wickets to fall during the morning session.

James Bracey reached 34 at a run a ball before holing out to mid-off against George Scrimshaw, but Graeme van Buuren maintained the visitors’ momentum, top-edging the seamer over long leg for six.

That was the first of four maximums for the Gloucestershire captain, whose 67 from 57 balls dominated his stand of 118 with Bancroft before eventually skying Siddarth Kaul into the gloves of Lewis McManus to usher in the declaration.

With Northamptonshire facing a nominal target of 558, Gay survived two chances off Ajeet Singh Dale before the seamer made the breakthrough by trapping Ricardo Vasconcelos lbw.

Gay’s good fortune finally ran out late in the day when, having just thumped Marchant de Lange off the back foot for four, he guided the next ball into the hands of mid-wicket, but Scrimshaw helped Procter to shepherd their side through to stumps.