A thrilling finish is in prospect at Derby after a dramatic third day in which 15 wickets fell - six of them to Iain O'Brien who claimed Leicestershire's best bowling figures of the season.

The New Zealand seamer took six for 87, including a spell of five for 13 in 23 balls, and wicketkeeper Tom New pouched six catches before scoring his second half century of the game.

After O'Brien had bowled Derbyshire out for 365 to secure a lead of 47 in the LV Division Two clash, Leicestershire slipped to 92 for five, but New's unbeaten 63 and James Allenby's 52 led a recovery that took the visitors to 209 for seven, 256 in front.

Despite the clatter of wickets, the batsmen also scored freely with 386 runs coming in the day and both teams will fancy their chances of celebrating victory.

The tone of the day was set when Garry Park fell for 72 in the third over of the morning, edging a ball from slow left-arm spinner George Walker to slip, but Derbyshire's middle order all chipped in to take their side past the follow-on target of 263.

Dan Redfearn made 50, Wavell Hinds and Greg Smith both scored 40 but O'Brien then started a collapse that saw the home side lose their last five wickets for 29 runs in eight overs.

Jamie Pipe had plundered three fours and a six from a Harry Gurney over to take Derbyshire past 300 but the wheels then came off after Smith edged a drive to slip.

Pipe was caught behind for 49 and after Graham Wagg chipped to mid on, New took two more catches as O'Brien struck twice in consecutive balls.

But Leicestershire were soon struggling as a combination of loose shots and a crazy run-out threw the game wide open.

Josh Cobb edged a drive at Wagg and skipper Boeta Dippenaar gift-wrapped his wicket when he was run out going for a second run to midwicket.

Matthew Boyce chopped a wide ball from Nantie Hayward to third man and when HD Ackerman slapped a low drive to cover, Leicestershire were 73 for four, only 120 runs ahead.

Allenby pulled Wagg for two sixes in an over but when the seamer had James Taylor lbw with the total on 95, the game had swung firmly towards Derbyshire.

But New, who forced Redfearn from the field when he pulled a full toss into his face at short leg, again played well and helped Allenby add 51 for the sixth wicket.

Allenby reached his second 50 of the game with a top-edged six off Ian Hunter but edged the next ball into the gloves of Pipe which left New as the last recognised batsman.

He again rose to the occasion, completing a memorable day against the county he played for on loan last year by reaching a 50 which contained eight fours off 71 balls.

Walker gave him solid support to add 65 in 17 overs before he was caught at short leg off Wagg to leave the contest in the balance going into the last day.