YORKSHIRE skipper Andrew Gale had taken his side within sight of safety at tea on the final day, when they were nine runs adrift with six wickets standing.

Gale was on 76 out of a total of 232 for four and with Adam Lyth having made his season’s best of 69, while Gary Ballance was unbeaten on 33, it was Yorkshire’s left-handers who were defying Durham.

They were fortunate to take the two wickets they picked up in the afternoon as Lyth carelessly allowed himself to be stumped and Jonny Bairstow was run out for six.

At 160 for four Durham’s spirits were revived, but they visibly flagging by tea as they were unable to make any impression on a pitch which had lost most of its early life.