Benkenstein forces the ball away through the off-side

Durham's Dale Benkenstein and Ottis Gibson made unbeaten centuries to boost the chances of escaping relegation along with opponents Yorkshire.

A draw was on the cards at Headingley after Durham ended a rain-shortened third day on 411-6.

And that result, plus the bonus points they have earned so far, could be enough to send Notts down instead.

Benkenstein was unbeaten on 116 and Gibson 104 not out at the close, with their partnership worth 220.

Only 48 overs were possible, but Yorkshire were unable to separate the experienced pair and press on towards a third bowling bonus point.

Benkenstein reached his third Championship century of the summer off 140 balls, and was soon followed to three figures by Gibson, who struck three sixes and ine fours in only the second hundred of his career.

After a hatful of wickets in recent games, Yorkshire's young leg-spinners Mark Lawson and Adil Rashid toiled away without reward.

Lawson could have had Benkenstein during the morning session but Anthony McGrath could not hold a difficult slip chance and the South African made them pay after twice being out in the 90s when the two sides met at the Riverside earlier in the season.

Gibson deposited a six into the West Stand to take the score past 400 and secure maximum batting points for his side and went to three figures soon after by square cutting a ball from Rashid for four.