LEICESTERSHIRE'S battle to salvage a draw from their LV= County Championship Division Two game against Glamorgan was boosted by bad weather and their best opening stand of the season at Grace Road.

A total of 54.4 overs were lost on a rain-hit third day after Leicestershire followed on 300 runs behind. But Greg Smith and Michael Thornely shared a partnership of 93 to lead the home side's bid to save the game.

Thornely was out for 43 but Smith, dropped twice, was still there on 62 at the close with Leicestershire at 133 for one, still 167 runs behind.

But with more rain forecast for the final day, they will harbour hopes of holding out for a draw.

The start was delayed for 35 minutes because of an early-morning shower, with Leicestershire asked to bat again after being bowled out for 142 in reply to Glamorgan's 442 for nine declared.

When play did get underway Smith and Thornely showed far more resistance than in the first innings, when both of them were back in the pavilion inside four overs.

Both played some positive strokes, bringing up the 50 stand in the 15th over.

They rode their luck at times and Smith was given a life on 27 when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Mark Wallace off left-arm seamer Graham Wagg.

At lunch the openers had both scored 42 to take Leicestershire to 88 without loss.

But it was another four hours before play could resume as the rain swept in.

Thornely was soon out after adding just one more run, trapped lbw by Leicester-born paceman Michael Reed.

After yet another stoppage for rain, Smith reached his 50 off 97 balls with eight fours, but was then dropped again by Wallace off Wagg on 60.

Ned Eckersley was also put down by Stewart Walters at slip off the unlucky Wagg before he had scored.

But Eckersley then dug in and was still there on 23 when bad light ended play for the day with Leicestershire still facing an uphill battle to prevent a Glamorgan victory.