Yorkshire were going to have to play like champions at Headingley today if they were to beat title-holders Surrey and keep their comfortable lead at the top of the Division One table.

Set to make 356 for victory, Yorkshire battled to 50 for one by close of play yesterday.

If Yorkshire reach the target it will be the biggest winning fourth innings score in the club's history, beating their 331 for eight against Middlesex at Lord's in 1910.

Pacemen Martin Bicknell and Ed Giddins have both been a handful and spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has created problems.

Rain soon after mid-day caused 42 overs of yesterday's ration to be lost, but there was still enough play for Surrey to move into a commanding position - and for off-spinner Richard Dawson to claim career best figures of six for 98, the best at Headingley by a Yorkshire slow bowler for many years.

Dawson added two wickets to the four he took on the previous day and the other three were collected by Gavin Hamilton, who finished with three for 66.

Hamilton's contribution was particularly useful because Steven Kirby looked jaded during his morning spell and Ryan Sidebottom was unable to play any part because of a groin strain which is likely to keep him out for at least ten days.

Surrey were already well placed at the start of the day at 171 for four, a lead of 245, and Ben Hollioake was the main contributor to their final score of 281 with 68 from 116 balls with 11 boundaries.

Hollioake was careful when he resumed his innings but after the long break for rain he started to hit out and was severe on Dawson and Hamilton before he cut at the fast bowler and edged a catch to Richard Blakey.

Bicknell batted resolutely for his unbeaten 23 but the rest of the tail did not add much.

Yorkshire were left with 24 overs to bat last night and they succeeded fairly well in preserving wickets.

Chris Taylor and Matthew Wood gently eased themselves in against good bowling from Bicknell and Giddins but, having made 15 out of 27, Taylor erred when he let a ball from Bicknell hit his pad and was given out lbw.

Wood, who was in for 12 overs before his first boundary, remained watchful and so did Anthony McGrath. They had a fresh battle on their hands today.

Today's cricket

CricInfo Championship

Division One

Yorkshire v Surrey

(at Headingley, last day of four)

Surrey 1st innings: 278 (Salisbury 54; Kirby 4-90). Yorkshire 1st innings: 204 (Lehmann 52; Giddings 4-50). Surrey end innings 281 (B Hollioake 68; Dawson 6-98)

Yorkshire second innings

Taylor lbw b Giddins 15

Wood not out 16

McGrath not out 11

Extras (b2 lb2 nb4) 8

Total (1 wkt, 24 overs) 50

Fall: 1-27.

Chelmsford (last day of four): Leicestershire

559 (Sutcliffe 165, Habib 124, Maddy 55, Burns 50no, Bishop 5-148), Essex 329-7 (Law 115, Robinson 102).

Colwyn Bay (last day of four): Glamorgan

479 (Maynard 145, Dale 140, Maher 60, Keedy 5-98) and 86-5, Lancashire 402-9 dec (Fairbrother 158, Chapple 64, Cosker 4-100).

Canterbury (last day of four): Kent 451-7 dec (Fulton 208no, Walker 81, Symonds 56, Key 50, Jones 5-115), Somerset 300-9 (Lathwell 63, Dutch 55no, Cox 50, Patel 109).

Division Two

Cheltenham (last day of four): Gloucestershire 334 (Windows 91, Taylor 56, Udal 4-76) and 104-1 (Barnett 70no), Hampshire 230 (Johnson 72, Laney 52no).

Hove (last day of four): Sussex 351-8 dec (Goodwin 127), Middlesex 48-2.

Edgbaston (second day of four): Warwickshire 270-5 (Brown 104, Bell 80no, Hemp 52) v Nottinghamshire.

Kidderminster (last day of four): Worcestershire 227, Durham 260 (Law 64, Love 50, Sheriyar 6-88).