That exotic sentiment, optimism, which lurked at the County Ground at the start of the season had grown rather thin three balls after lunch. Derbyshire, bedraggled at 61 for three, led by only 21 runs with Chris Rogers retired hurt. But Rikki Clarke, the imported new captain, and Freddie Klokker discovered the fight for which members have yearned for so long.

If they can prevail today it will be the first time since June 1, 2002 that the club have won successive championship games at home. Clarke, with his first fifty in ten months, suddenly seized the attack after twelve tentative overs at the crease to reach 81 in a 134-run stand, before falling to Darren Maddy, who made ten bowling changes in the afternoon, but remained the pick of a meagre seven-man attack.

Rogers was twice struck on the helmet by Neil Carter in the morning and returned to see Klokker, a Dane, secure a maiden championship fifty from 144 balls, before completing his own by flaying the new ball. Out for 64, Rogers was caught by Richard Johnson, the teenage wicketkeeper on as substitute for Tim Ambrose.

Clarke's key problem on the final day may be to set a target for a Warwickshire side who sucessfully chased 383 to beat Northamptonshire a fortnight ago. Derbyshire's own victory this season also came in a run chase after a target was left by Essex on this ground.

Such questions hardly seemed relevant earlier. At one stage, Derbyshire, who had badly lost tactical direction, could find only 40 runs from the 22 overs either side of lunch immediately before Clarke rediscovered his old touch. Steve Stubbings completely misjudged the length of an Ant Botha slow yorker, which had him leg-before for 19, and John Sadler played Maddy's inswing on to his middle stump from a limp defensive bat.

Dominic Telo spent a dozen overs mustering a single before attempting an appalling sweep and top-edging a catch to the short fine leg, Ian Salisbury, who later left the field with a hamstring problem that threatens to keep him out of action for at least the next match.

Derbyshire: First Innings 270 (J L Clare 66, TLungley 50; N M Carter 4 for 65)

Second Innings (overnight 3-0)

S D Stubbings lbw b Botha 19
C J L Rogers c sub b Carter 64
J L Sadler b Maddy 18
F D Telo c Salisbury b Botha 1
*R Clarke c Anyon b Maddy 81
F A Klokker not out 76
D J Pipe not out 24

Extras (b 22, lb 7, w 9, nb 2) 40

Total (5 wkts, 98 overs) 323

Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-53, 3-61, 4-195, 5-288.

Bowling: Zondeki 15-5-41-0; Carter 15-3-46-1; Anyon 11-1-49-0; Maddy 18-8-27-2; Botha 25-7-71-2; Salisbury 11-1-44-0; Trott 3-0-16-0.

Warwickshire: First Innings 310 (I J L Trott 104, D L Maddy 57; T Lungley 4 for 70)

Umpires: P J Hartley and R A Kettleborough.