Despite half-centuries from Lewis Goldsworthy and Tom Lammonby, Somerset were unable to secure a comfortable lead against Surrey at the Kia Oval. The champions will be pushing for their first win of the new Vitality County Championship season on the final day.
Goldsworthy made 58 and Lammonby 51, adding to his first-day century. At stumps, Somerset were only 61 runs ahead at 204 for six in their second innings, with Dan Lawrence taking three wickets for 45 runs. Surrey reached 428 in their first innings, having resumed at 358 for six with a lead of 73 runs.
Lawrence and Cameron Steel's spin caused the initial damage for Surrey. Lawrence dismissed Sean Dickson for a duck with just his second ball, caught behind by keeper Ben Foakes. Lawrence was given the new ball alongside Jordan Clark in a three-over pre-lunch mini-session.
Lawrence's offspin also dismissed Matt Renshaw, who was leg-before for 16 as he attempted a sweep from well across his stumps. After a 58-run third wicket partnership between Lammonby and Goldsworthy, Steel's legbreaks provided further breakthroughs for Surrey in a lengthy spell by the 28-year-old from the Pavilion End on either side of tea.
Lammonby was given out leg-before as he propped forward defensively. Banton, on 11, top-edged a cut and lobbed up a catch to Lawrence at backward point. Steel took two wickets for 53 runs from his 21 overs.
Lawrence claimed Somerset's fifth wicket by turning one to take the edge of James Rew's bat. The young left-hander was superbly held at boot level by Jamie Overton at slip for 22.
Goldsworthy's resistance ended after facing 131 balls, due to Gus Atkinson's pace and a thin edge through to Foakes. Somerset almost lost a seventh wicket when Kasey Aldridge, on nought, was dropped by Overton at slip off Lawrence, despite a juggle with the ball after it had hit his wrist as he dived to his left.
At stumps, Aldridge had progressed to 20, and Somerset captain Lewis Gregory was also still there on 23 not out. The seventh-wicket partnership has added 42 runs, but Surrey is still heavily favoured to win.
Surrey added 70 runs to their overnight score in 24.2 overs. Aldridge took three of the last four wickets and finished with figures of five for 64.
Clark was unfortunate to be caught down the legside on 13, in the sixth over of the day. Steel, who resumed on 35, was caught by a leaping Lammonby at gully as he cut hard at paceman Aldridge.
Overton and Atkinson added 40 runs for the ninth wicket before Atkinson (15) was caught off Migael Pretorius while attempting a violent shot. Overton's useful 35 came to an end when he under-edged a pull into his own stumps.