Somerset have spent most of the season aspiring to a maiden County Championship title.

But if Somerset CCC slump to defeat to Hampshire this weekend they risk being dragged into an unforeseen relegation battle.

Justin Langer's side began this match third in the Division One table. However, they were nearer the bottom two than leaders Durham.

Hampshire are second from bottom and will climb to within a dozen or so points of Somerset if they win.

Somerset are staring at a battle to save the game. They closed on 98-3 in their first innings, still 301 runs short of the 399 they will need to avoid being asked to follow-on after Hampshire made 548.

Pakistani leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been their nemesis so far, claiming the first three wickets, including Langer for a duck in highly controversial circumstances.

Arul Suppiah was the first to go when he tried to turn Tahir into the leg-side and got a top edge back to the bowler for 35 to end an encouraging first wicket stand of 76 in reply to Hampshire's mammoth 548.

Then, four deliveries later, Langer was adjudged to have edged Tahir behind the wicketkeeper, where Dominic Cork, the first slip, claimed the catch.

Umpire Nick Cook raised his finger but a clearly furious Langer lingered in his crease before leaving with arms and bat flailing, insisting the ball had only hit his pad.

Tahir's next over saw James Hildreth drive to mid-on for four to reduce Somerset to 86-3 and give Tahir his third wicket in the space of 11 balls.

The visitors now face a huge task just to survive on a used pitch with two days to play. Much will rest on Marcus Trescothick, who was 36 not out at the close.

Earlier, Somerset had been kept in the field for a punishing 163 overs as Hampshire accumulated their 548 at just more than three runs per over.

Their frustration in the sunshine was exacerbated by a last-wicket stand of 80 in 14 overs between Tahir and debutant spinner Danny Briggs.

Tahir smashed a career best 77 not out while 18-year-old Briggs hit five fours in his 36 until he clobbered Suppiah to Omari Banks at mid-off. Suppiah finished with a Somerset best four for 120, having taken three first-day wickets.

Charl Willoughby was again the top paceman. He took his season tally to 42 wickets when he slanted one across Nic Pothas, who was caught behind for 41, and then bowled Jimmy Adams for 147.

Pete Trego's got Dimitri Mascarenhas leg before wicket for 31 but Cork ensured Hampshire went past 400.

The former England man had made 52 when he tried to loft Max Waller for a second straight six and miscued to mid-off where Suppiah took a good catch.

Banks' fourth wicket and Somerset CCC's tenth arrived when David Griffiths flayed the off-spinner to deep mid-off for Willoughbyto catch.

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