Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has called on his side to prove their worth on the final day of their LV=County Championship match with Durham.

After another disappointing display at Chester-le-Street, the Tykes will go into day four with a battle on their hands to save the division one match.

This is after they closed on 13-0 none in their second-innings – still needing 210 more runs to avoid losing by an innings.

“It is going to be tough,”

admitted Gale.

“I think we all have something to prove to each other. We will need to bat well against their quality attack to make sure we do not lose the game.

“If we can avoid defeat then I think it will give us a lot of confidence to take forward.”

Paul Collingwood was the main architect of the Tykes’ downfall on day three – providing a reminder to everybody that his career is far from over after retiring from Test cricket in the winter.

His buccaneering innings of 108 thrilled the home supporters, on a day when Yorkshire were far from their best in the field.

In total they dropped six catches, after adding 15 runs for the last wicket in the morning session to be bowled out for 185, with Durham captain Phil Mustard the main beneficiary.

He managed to make 70 in the North-East sunshine, despite being put down on three occasions and having an lbw decision immediately overturned by umpire Tim Robinson.

Mustard’s four let-offs enabled him to add 113 runs for the sixth wicket with Collingwood – as Durham recovered from 141-5 at one stage to reach their commanding position by the close.

“That is the story of our season so far,” added Gale.

“We had them on the ropes and then let them off.

“The umpire said he got it wrong (over Mustard). He gave it out and then he said he got it wrong, straight away.

“In my eyes that is his problem if he gets it wrong. I do not think he should call the batsman back.”

Both Collingwood and Mustard were eventually ousted during the final session, before some power hitting by Scott Borthwick continued Yorkshire’s punishment.

He added 67 runs from 81 balls, to help bring up a declaration for his team once they passed the 400 mark to secure maximum batting bonus points.

At 408-8 they had a first-innings lead of 223, before Yorkshire battled to the close unbeaten to give them some momentum to take into the final day.

Adam Lyth was dropped on four by Mustard off Callum Thorp, but Joe Root looked composed to join his fellow opener on reaching the end of play on four not out.

Gale will now hope the duo, and the rest of his team, can produce a stubborn display on day four to make sure Yorkshire avoid a defeat which would see them slip further into relegation trouble.