A COURAGEOUS and defiant innings from wicketkeeper-batsman, Ismail Dawood saved Yorkshire from certain defeat in their Championship match against Leicestershire at Grace Road yesterday.

Chasing a target of 310 in what became 69 overs, Yorkshire had slumped to 73 for five in just 23 overs when Dawood strode to the crease.

The situation became even bleaker for Yorkshire when Vic Craven departed to make it 90 for six but the fightback then started in earnest as Richard Dawson, Tim Bresnan and John Blain all gave Dawood strong support.

Dawson spent 70 balls making 19 and Bresnan 24 deliveries for four, but once they had gone, Yorkshire were still staring defeat in the face at 145 for eight with nine tense overs still remaining.

But while Blain held out for 24 balls without scoring against pacemen Phil DeFreitas and Ottis Gibson, Dawood calmly kept left-arm spinner Claude Henderson at bay, despite fielders ringing the bat with the ball turning sharply.

Leicestershire kept going right until the penultimate ball before calling it a day and Dawood came off to be hugged by his team-mates having battled it out for two hours and 40 minutes for his unbeaten 42 which came off 137 deliveries.

The draw kept Yorkshire in fourth spot in the table but a defeat would have seen them drop two places.

Now they must beat third-placed Glamorgan in the game which begins at Colwyn Bay tomorrow and then do well in their three remaining matches if they are to win promotion.

Steve Kirby and Bresnan produced Yorkshire's best opening spell of the season on Saturday evening to leave Leicestershire starting the final day on a shaky 61 for four and still only 204 in front.

But they were unable to exert the same pressure again and Leicestershire's Australian captain, Brad Hodge, soon seized the initiative for his side with a belligerent innings of 60 off 83 balls with nine fours and a six before he swished at Blain and was caught behind.

Three balls later, Blain had Jeremy Snape miscuing a high catch to Anthony McGrath at mid-on but Paul Nixon and DeFreitas took Leicestershire steadily to the declaration at 166 for six, leaving Yorkshire with three overs to bat until lunch.

They lost a crucial wicket the ball before the interval when Phil Jaques concluded a disappointing game on his return to the side by driving Gibson gently to Darren Robinson at short cover.

The slump continued in the afternoon as McGrath, having survived one close call for lbw against Charlie Dagnall, was not so fortunate the second time, and Matthew Wood's off-stump was flattened by Gibson the delivery after a delay while the ball was changed.

Otley-born debutant, Joe Sayers, who had battled bravely for 35 in 49 overs in the first innings, looked in control again until he fell lbw to one which kept low from DeFreitas and when Andy Gale was caught off bat and pad against Henderson, Yorkshire were 73 for five and the stage was set for Dawood's great knock.

Dawood dug in and Yorkshire live to fight another day - but time is running out in their bid for promotion to the top flight of the County Championship.