WORCESTERSHIRE recovered from 73-4 to chase down 366 in 75 overs and record a three-wicket victory against Leicestershire at New Road.

The visitors declared on 307-3 in their second innings on the final day of the County Championship Division Two match but the hosts crept over the line in the penultimate over led by Joe Leach, pictured left.

Leicestershire felt hard done by during the County’s chase after the umpires reprieved batsman Joe Clarke, who had initially been given out lbw on 31 but was allowed to return and hit his third century of the season.

The England Lions ace, whose 123 helped drag his side in sight of the finishing line, was adjudged lbw by umpire Jeremy Lloyds with the total on 147.

Clarke walked off, appearing unhappy at his dismissal, but after Lloyds and square leg umpire Graham Lloyd conferred the 20-year-old was recalled to the middle.

Leicestershire skipper Mark Cosgrove was clearly unhappy and remonstrated with the umpires.

But Clarke continued his innings and went to his century with a cover drive for four off Neil Dexter.

He was eventually out with victory 21 runs away, dismissed by wicketkeeper Ned Eckersley’s direct hit at the non-striker’s end after Leach had called his partner through for a quick single.

But Leach (64 not out) was joined by Ed Barnard to take the County to their second championship success of the campaign and third place in the table.

Cosgrove (146) and Paul Horton (117no) had earlier scored centuries as Leicestershire added 135 in 29 overs in the morning session.

Their third-wicket stand was eventually ended for 264 when Jack Shantry bowled Cosgrove, who immediately declared.

In response, Daryl Mitchell and Brett D’Oliveira safely negotiated eight overs before lunch but then four wickets went down in the same period immediately after the interval.

Clint McKay removed the openers, having Mitchell caught behind and D’Oliveira at gulley after he fended off a lifting delivery.

Tom Fell then nicked Charlie Shreck through to the keeper and the same bowler held on to a return catch from Tom Kohler-Cadmore to leave Worcestershire reeling with 59 overs remaining.

After Clarke’s reprieve, he shared in a fifth-wicket stand of 142 in 34 overs with Ross Whiteley, who survived three chances to equal his best score of the season of 71.

Then Leach accompanied Clarke in a sixth-wicket partnership of 108 in 17 overs before Barnard hit Cosgrove for four to secure victory.