Shaun Udal spent the day in the treatment room as Gloucestershire's batsmen put a threadbare Hampshire attack to the sword at Bristol yesterday.

Off-spinner Udal, unbeaten on six overnight, failed to reappear after waking up with a stiff neck that prevented him taking any part in the second day's action against the second division leaders.

Hampshire were already without Wasim Akram, who was being rested ahead of the National League match against his former county Lancashire on Sunday, and Ed Giddins, who is still a fortnight away from contention after fracturing a rib in the first game of the season.

Gloucestershire capitalised, smashing young James Tomlinson for seven-an-over after Hampshire, who were 351-6 overnight, lost their last three wickets for 18 runs in less than nine overs.

Dimitri Mascarenhas added only one to his overnight 13 before Craig Spearman took a smart catch at first slip.

Alan Mullally had his middle and off-stumps dismantled as he prodded half forward to Jon Lewis and then Tomlinson was caught behind, leaving Chris Tremlett partnerless on ten.

It proved to be a bad start to a bad day for Hampshire.

Spearman put on 141 for the first wicket with Philip Weston before the latter, a close season signing from Worcestershire, was caught by Simon Katich at first slip off the bowling of Mascarenhas in the 32nd over.

Katich's chinamen were put to good use in the absence of Udal.

Substitute James Hamblin's smart work at short extra cover ran out Tim Hancock, who fell three runs short of what would have been his third championship 50 of the season.

It was slow left-armer Katich who was bowling when Hancock attempted a quick single, only to be sent back by Spearman - the first of two wickets to fall for one run.

Three overs later, the 54th of Gloucestershire's innings, Spearman was caught at first slip by Derek Kenway after prodding forward to Katich and the same combination removed Matt Windows after tea.

Spearman's 103 came from 157 balls, included 14 boundaries and came ten months after he smashed a match-winning National League ton against Hampshire at Cheltenham.

Meanwhile, Jonty Rhodes was on his way to a 61-ball 50 and was still there at the close, with Gloucestershire 53 runs behind Hampshire's first innings 369 and with six wickets still in hand.

There was some good news for Hampshire - Udal was expected to be able to play today.

Physio Pat Farhart said: "Shaun woke up at 5.30am unable to move his neck but he should be okay to play over the weekend."