Yorkshire failed by only two runs to avoid the follow-on in the Roses match at Headingley yesterday but they still managed to hold out for a comfortable draw as Otley-born Joe Sayers at last found some decent batting form.

The left-handed opener, who had accumulated only 43 runs in the previous three Championship matches, calmly prevented a second innings collapse by constructing an unbeaten 75 off 168 balls with 11 boundaries.

Thanks to Sayers, and another fine innings from the dependable Anthony McGrath, who hit 81 not out in an unbroken second wicket stand, Yorkshire were able to declare at 177 for one, 25 in front, to end the rain-hit match in which 135 overs had been lost to the weather.

There was a 14 over delay at the start of the final day before Yorkshire's first innings last wicket pair of Jason Gillespie and Deon Kruis resumed with 16 needed to end Lancashire's hopes of enforcing the follow-on.

Each batsman managed a boundary before Gillespie edged an away swinger from Smith to second slip where Smith held a low catch.

There was a minimum of 73 overs remaining when Yorkshire began their second innings and a win for Lancashire just about seemed on as the out-of-touch Matthew Wood did not use his feet against Kyle Hogg and was caught behind.

But with Sayers gaining in confidence and McGrath again in complete command, a draw became inevitable and Yorkshire were already close to safety when Sayers completed his half-century off 112 balls with seven fours.

McGrath moved to his second half-century of the match after tea and he just had time before the close for him to pass 500 Championship runs in only four matches.

l Richard Dawson, Yorkshire's 12th man in the Roses game, left the match yesterday to captain Yorkshire Seconds in their one-day friendly with Durham Seconds at Hartlepool.

He had hoped to get some crucial bowling in for himself, but Durham were fired out for 26 in just 11.4 overs, Ajmal Shahzad taking 6-11 and Australian Mitch Claydon 4-14. Yorkshire went on to win by seven wickets.

l Yorkshire Phoenix aim to provide lavish entertainment against Warwickshire Bears at Headingley tomorrow just as they did at Northampton last Sunday when they beat the Steelbacks by two runs in one of the most exciting Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy matches ever staged.

Byas fears bad weather could do more damage to Yorkshire than their opponents as another no result' would seriously harm their chances of making a realistic challenge for the top spot.

"We cannot afford to lose any more points," said Byas.

Yorkshire Phoenix (from): White, Wood, McGrath, Lehmann, Lumb, Gale, Sayers, Guy, Bresnan, Dawson, Gillespie, Kruis.