The dark cloud that hangs over Headingley this season showed no signs of budging as Yorkshire's Roses battle with Lancashire ended in a draw.

The defending champions are still without a win and, rooted to the bottom of the ladder, look almost assured to be relegated to Division Two.

The hosts looked to have a chance of victory at the start of play as their opponents fought to avoid the follow-on.

But the game seemed certain to be heading for a draw as Lancashire ended their first innings just 37 runs behind.

However, Yorkshire's fight for an elusive win quickly turned into a battle for survival as they endured a second-innings nightmare.

Real trouble

After bowling out Lancashire for 478, Yorkshire contrived to put themselves in real trouble before bad light stopped play with the score on 124 for seven.

Opener Matthew Wood failed to score when he pulled Glen Chapple to James Anderson at square leg.

Craig White (one) soon followed, edging Chapple to former team-mate David Byas at first slip.

Vic Craven was then bowled for 14 by Chapple to leave Yorkshire on 25 for three.

With three more runs added, Anthony McGrath joined the procession after being bowled by John Wood, and Richard Dawson (seven) was then trapped lbw by Anderson with the last ball before tea.

When Lumb (24) and Darren Lehmann (14) were dismissed in the space of three overs, Lancashire sensed victory but wicketkeeper Richard Blakey and Chris Silverwood fought to keep Yorkshire in the match.

The follow-on

Earlier, half-centuries from Lancashire tail-enders Keedy and Wood helped Lancashire avoid the follow-on.

Yorkshire were forced to take to the field without Darren Gough after a recurrence of his knee injury, which also rules him out of the first Test against India.

The visitors resumed on 330 for six and opener Alec Swann could add just seven to his overnight 121 before falling to Silverwood.

Three balls later, Ryan Sidebottom trapped Peter Martin lbw three runs short of his 50.

But with Lancashire wobbling, Wood hit an impressive 64 and Keedy scored 57 before their stand of 120 was ended when McGrath had Keedy caught by Blakey.

And shortly after Wood edged to Lehmann at first slip to give McGrath his second wicket of the innings.

Yorkshire: C White, M J Wood, A McGrath, D S Lehmann (Capt), M J Lumb, V J Craven, R J Blakey (Wkt), C J Elstub, C E W Silverwood, D Gough, R J Sidebottom.

Lancashire: M J Chilton, A J Swann, D Byas, S G Law, N H Fairbrother, G Keedy, W K Hegg (Capt, Wkt), G Chapple, J Wood, J M Anderson, P J Martin.

Umpires: A Clarkson and J F Steele