Letting teams off the hook is rapidly becoming the theme of Yorkshire’s season.

For the fifth time this year, the Tykes had opponents on the ropes today but ultimately failed to land the crucial knock-out blow which would have seen them on their way to victory.

Nottinghamshire recovered from 291-8 to post a first-innings total of 428 on day three of the County Championship match at Trent Bridge.

Although Yorkshire then extended their lead to 123 after reaching the close on 17-0, it means the game looks to be heading for a draw.

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, and again there seemed little to worry about yesterday.

Some poor shots had helped Yorkshire pin the defending champions to 277-7 at tea.

This soon became 291-8, in reply to the Tykes’ first-innings total of 534-9 declared, before things started to go wrong with the hosts still well short of the follow-on target.

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

Adams was eventually ousted for 54, giving Ajmal Shahzad the second of his three wickets, but Phillips finished unbeaten on 71 as he was joined by Luke Fletcher to quickly add a further 23 to the total.

It took Nottinghamshire to within 106 of Yorkshire’s tally, before Adam Lyth and Joe Sayers then batted to the close.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire have confirmed that Ashes hero Tim Bresnan will make his return for the county in Sunday’s 40-over match at Kent.