PAUL Collingwood is back. After failing to slog his way into form in the Twenty20 competition he utilised the less frenetic setting of a four-day game to help Durham build a healthy lead against Yorkshire.

That might not have been the case had Yorkshire held any of three chances offered by Phil Mustard, who continued to lead a charmed life when he was given out lbw by Tim Robinson, who then changed his mind.

Mustard was on 58 and indicated that he had edged the ball on to his pad in attempting a reverse sweep off Adil Rashid. Collingwood also appeared to say something to the umpire.

Yorkshire also had words with Robinson and the other umpire, Martin Bodneham, following the controversial change of heart.

It was a further indication that nothing goes in your favour when you are down and Durham were 75 ahead when they reached 260 for six.

Mustard’s final escape was not too costly for Yorkshire as the next time he edged a reverse sweep on to his pad the ball lobbed up to slip and he was out for 70.

As his runs came off only 67 balls, the captain was clearly anxious to make up for the loss of a day and half to rain.

Although Collingwood’s appearances have been fleeting, his unbeaten 77 is his highest championship score since hitting six centuries in the 2005 season.

Replying to Yorkshire’s 185, Durham would have been 141 for six had Richard Pyrah not dropped Mustard first ball at second slip off the impressive Steve Patterson.

Mustard was missed again on one by the same fielder off Ryan Sidebottom and on 32 by Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale at mid-off, with Patterson again the luckless bowler.

On a pitch offering good pace and bounce, the 6ft 4in seamer bowled superbly and deserved more than his three wickets.

Ian Blackwell was his third victim after contributing 28 to a fifth-wicket stand of 50. Adopting his usual stand and deliver style he looked markedly less secure than Collingwood and edged an airy drive to first slip.