GARETH Andrew’s superb spell helped Oxfordshire stage a brilliant comeback on the first day of their Western Division encounter at Banbury to lead Dorset by 92 runs.

Having been dismissed for 171 in the 77th over, the hosts faced an uphill battle in their second Unicorn Counties Championship fixture.

But former Worcestershire seamer Andrew took centre stage in the early-evening sun, claiming 5-22 from 12 overs as Dorset were left reeling on 79-7.

Oxon, who had struggled to raise a side for the clash, elected to bat.

But they fell from 35-0 to 35-2 after Richard Kaufman and Olly Clarke fell to James Hayman (4-42).

Harry Smith and Tom Price (38) steadied the ship, before the latter combined with Callum Russell (33) to put on a fifth-wicket stand of 48 to help Oxon reach triple figures.

But partnerships were hard to come by in the middle order as they slipped to 146-7, before losing their last three wickets for 25 runs.

Oxon were in deep trouble, but Andrew had other ideas.

The 34-year-old removed Tom Arnold, Luke Webb and Scott Currie to restrict the visitors to 13-3.

Ben Wells and Edward Ellis steadied the ship, until the latter was caught by Kaufman at mid-off from Tom Price’s bowling.

Andrew then struck twice more to leave Dorset struggling on 48-6.

Josh McCoy became the seventh man to fall, caught in the slips by Smith off the bowling of Alex Chapman.

Dorset then dug deep to avoid losing further wickets.

They defended resolutely as spinner Joe Thomas finished with three maidens from as many overs.