The West Indies have a slim chance of winning the second Test and squaring their two-match series against New Zealand after taking two late wickets on day four.

On a dry and lifeless pitch, the Windies' bowlers struggled to make a breakthrough for long periods, with openers Lou Vincent and Mark Richardson the chief tormentors.

The Black Caps resume on 139 for two, after Ramnaresh Sarwan bowled out Vincent (64) and Brian Lara caught Stephen Fleming from the bowling of Carl Hooper.

New Zealand did their morning's work well and knocked over the remaining five wickets in just over 20 overs for 76 runs.

Mahendra Nagamootoo hit a quick-fire 32 and then Pedro Collins (14) and Adam Sanford (12) added 22 valuable runs for the Windies' ninth wicket.

Earlier, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was dismissed by his second ball of the morning without adding to his overnight score of 51, and the removal of Ridley Jacobs by Scott Styris for 17 boosted the tourists.

Shane Bond was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, picking up his second five-wicket haul in succession and working hard with little luck for figures of five for 104 off 30.1 overs.

Once the home side's innings was terminated by the removal of Sanford, caught for 12 by Ian Butler for Bond's fifth scalp - the New Zealand openers faced a tricky period before they could sit down and enjoy their lunch.

Hard-earned

But after the break openers Vincent and Richardson produced a superb partnership of 117 as the Kiwis easily passed the Windies' slender lead of 27 from the first innings.

The pair played with bravery and commitment to dominate the afternoon session, before Sarwan finally made the breakthrough.

He took the wicket of Vincent with a superb yorker, as the Kiwi opener was looking to build on his hard-earned 54.

Skipper Carl Hooper then dislodged opposite captain Fleming for five, caught by Lara at slip, leaving the visitors on 132 for two.

New Zealand added seven more and go into the final day with a lead of 42 with eight wickets in hand, and a draw the most likely outcome.

Chris Harris (six) and Richardson (68) will resume for the tourists, who lead the series 1-0.