WORCESTERSHIRE set a 355-run target after rapid half-centuries from Richard Oliver and Moeen Ali on the third day of the LV= County Championship clash with Glamorgan at New Road.

The County gained a first-innings lead of 55 after a five-wicket haul from spin wizard Saeed Ajmal helped dismiss Glamorgan for 297.

Oliver and Moeen set the tone for Worcestershire with a stand of 123 off 24 overs for the second wicket after skipper Daryl Mitchell (11) was caught behind off a lifting delivery from Rory Smith.

Ben Cox and Jack Shantry took the total to 299-7 before the declaration left Glamorgan with one over to face and they closed on 0-0.

Championship debutant Oliver was dropped twice but in between produced powerful strokes in reaching his maiden 50 off 68 balls with 10 fours.

Moeen brought up his half-century off just 54 deliveries with a six and seven fours.

But Dean Cosker ended the partnership with the total on 140 when Oliver played forward and was bowled for 65 off 97 balls, including 12 fours.

Moeen (80), in his last championship innings before the first Investec Test against India at Trent Bridge next week, continued to entertain the crowd.

But he mistimed a forcing shot against Cosker and lobbed a catch to Andrew Salter at mid-off with the total on 177.

First innings century-maker Tom Fell raced to 40 with seven fours before being run-out in a mix-up with Alexei Kervezee.

Cosker trapped Kervezee lbw for 21 and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (7) holed out to mid-off.

A five-wicket haul was completed by Cosker when Joe Leach (5) was adjudged lbw with the total on 250-7.

Wicketkeeper Cox (40 not out) and Shantry, with successive straight sixes off Cosker in his 24, added 49 before the declaration.

Earlier, Saeed finished with 5-106 from 34.2 overs to take his championship wicket tally to 49 in eight 2014 games.

The lead would have been more considerable but for a last-wicket stand of 68 between Michael Hogan (36) and Salter (25no).

Glamorgan resumed on 223-7 but Leach and Saeed quickly reduced them to 229-9.

Leach broke through with the fourth ball of the day when Smith (2) was adjudged lbw.

Saeed struck twice in four balls with Mark Wallace (36) caught by Oliver at short leg and Cosker (2) trapped lbw.

Hogan and Salter held Worcestershire up before the former was finally bowled by Saeed.