SEAN Ervine scored his second Taunton century in four days in his first game back from injury as Hampshire secured a draw against Somerset.

Hampshire held on thanks to a spot of good fortune, Ervine's 106 and his stand of 159 with Jimmy Adams (96).

Needing 249 in their second innings to avoid an innings defeat, Hampshire were 254-5 when hands were shaken.

They may have fallen a point further behind Warwickshire, who drew at Durham, but Hampshire's ten-point haul means they will now hope to reel in Lancashire who are only 16 ahead with three games left after being thrashed by Surrey.

Hampshire had to ride their luck on several occasions over the course of the final day, with Ervine dropped three times during an innings that, in the end, was the difference.

The day began with Craig Overton surviving a near run out, when on 99, to celebrate his maiden first class hundred off 123 balls, with 10 fours.

Overton, who with Roelof van der Merwe broke the county's record eighth wicket partnership in the Championship, which had stood since 1983 when Ian Botham and Viv Richards put on 172 against Leicestershire at Grace Road, batted with typical aggression to reach 138.

When the young Devonian finally departed, caught on the mid wicket boundary by Adams off the bowling of Mason Crane, Somerset captain Chris Rogers declared.

Van der Merwe, who passed three figures off 137 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, was left unbeaten on 102.

Overton's early morning runs meant Hampshire required 249 in their second innings to make Somerset bat again. When opener Will Smith departed for 0, off 12 balls, lbw to Jack Leach, that initial target looked a long way off.

Ervine and Adams joined forces and managed to steer Hampshire to lunch, albeit somewhat fortuitously. Ervine, who was quick to punish the short ball, was dropped by wicket keeper Ryan Davies, on 43, off the bowling of captain Jim Allenby, in the final over before the interval.

The 32 year-old Zimbabwean made the most of that mistake and having been dropped again, on 78, by Overton, he went on to reach three figures off 148 balls. He was dropped again, on 100, before finally departing for 106 at 165 for 2.

Adams, who was understandably watchful on a wicket that continued to turn, posted his half century off 169 balls with six fours.

However, after tea and with the game seemingly drifting, Hampshire suffered a double blow when James Vince (13) and Adam Wheater (0) were dismissed by van der Merwe in the same over. Sensing their chance, Somerset pushed on in pursuit of the wicket of Adams which finally fell, at 251 for 5, caught by Marcus Trescothick off the bowling of Leach, who now has 45 first class wickets this season.

Somerset made one final push, but Hampshire held their nerve.

Captain Will Smith said: "In the context of our season, that result and the way we played today, could be the difference.

"I am incredibly happy.

"From the outside, the fact that we only lost five wickets must look as though we have held on comfortably. But the guys have had to play well today.

"I thought Jimmy and Sean were fantastic. They were two contrasting but equally incredible innings.

"Sean batted with real conviction and took it to the bowlers and Jimmy batted like Jimmy does. He soldiered on and was outstanding.

"All credit to them."

Somerset captain Chris Rogers said; "I think we played pretty well throughout the game. I certainly can't fault the guys in any way.

"The pitch didn't offer the kind of bounce that we thought it might on the final day but we stuck at it.

"There were some half chances, but they were tough ones and we are certainly not blaming anyone. Also, how many times did we beat the bat?

"It puts us a bit behind in the table and it's going to be tough from here."