LETTING teams off the hook is rapidly becoming the theme of Yorkshire's season so far. For the fifth time in 2011 the Tykes had an opposition on the ropes yesterday, before ultimately failing to land the crucial knock-out blow which would have seen them on their way to a victory.

This is after Nottinghamshire recovered from 291 for eight to post a competitive first-innings total of 428 at Trent Bridge.

Although the Tykes then extended their lead to 123 runs, after reaching the close on 17 for 0, it means the game now looks to be heading for a draw on the final day rather than a Yorkshire win.

It is the fact that this sort of turnaround has happened on numerous occasions already this year which makes this latest disappointment all the more frustrating.

Yorkshire could arguably be staring at a seventh straight win in all competitions had they been able to convert a good start into a victory.

As well as failing to chase down just 145 to beat Nottinghamshire in the reverse fixture last month, the Tykes also had Durham at 223 for eight in their first-innings before losing. On top of this they have also failed to chase down two easily attainable victory targets to be beaten in their first two Clydesdale Bank 40 games.

There certainly seemed little to worry about at Trent Bridge yesterday though, after some poor shots from the defending champions had helped Yorkshire pin Nottinghamshire to 277 for seven at tea.

This soon became 291 for eight, in reply to the Tykes first-innings total of 534 for nine, before things started to go wrong with their hosts still 94-runs short of the follow-on.

Andre Adams and Ben Phillips did the damage - adding a Nottinghamshire record against the White Rose of 114-runs for the ninth wicket to haul their side back into the contest.

Adams was eventually ousted for 54, to give Ajmal Shahzad the second of three wickets, but Phillips was then joined by fellow tail-ender Paul Franks to continue the comeback.

He was out for a quick-fire 20 soon after, with Phillips ending unbeaten on 71 to help Nottinghamshire close to within 106 runs of Yorkshire's total.

Adam Lyth, who is unbeaten on 13, and Joe Sayers, who is on 4, then batted the White Rose safely to the close, but it will now take a huge effort from either side to stop the game ending in a tame draw.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire have confirmed that Tim Bresnan will make his first appearance for the county since his Ashes heroics at Kent tomorrow.