OTTIS GIBSON admits that Yorkshire face a "massive" final round against Gloucestershire after a 10-wicket defeat at Surrey left the White Rose just 15 points clear of safety.
Yorkshire started day three 65 behind Surrey and although spinner Dom Bess made a battling 43 in a follow-on of 208, the hosts needed just six overs to reach the measly target of 55 without loss.
A seventh defeat of the LV= Insurance County Championship division one season leaves Yorkshire 15 points above second-from-bottom Warwickshire with one match left to play.
The White Rose close out their season against bottom club Gloucestershire at Headingley Stadium from Monday (10.30am), knowing that, however unlikely, relegation is a possibility.
Yorkshire coach Gibson said: “First of all, congratulations to Surrey.
"Over the three days, they were miles ahead of where we are at the moment as a team.
"They have played Championship-winning cricket all year, and we haven’t reached that level yet.
“But, as I said to the guys in the changing room as Surrey were singing their team song, ‘We’re in a bit of transition, but there’s no reason why in a year or two we can’t be doing the same’.
“It’s been a disappointing three days, I have to say that.
"I expected us to bat better in both innings, and we haven’t done so.
"Next week is a massive game because we don’t want to be playing in any other division than the first.”
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