England skipper Edwards plays a straight drive

Charlotte Edwards and Caroline Atkins shared a record third wicket stand to rescue England from dire straits in the second Test against India at Taunton.

They were forced to follow on after being bowled out for just 99, a deficit of 208, and were then reduced to 34-2 in their second innings.

But skipper Edwards led from the front with 100 not out, her third Test century, and Atkins supported with 68.

England were 205-2 at the close, with their unbroken partnership worth 171.

It bettered the 137 shared by Rachel Heyhoe and Edna Barker against Australia at Melbourne in 1969.

But England still have work to do on the final day to secure a draw, which would mean the series ending 0-0.

They did not last long during the morning session after resuming on 74-6 as Indian seamer Jhulan Goswami produces figures of 5-33.

Goswami's five-wicket haul was her second in Test cricket

She made the initial breakthrough by having Edwards and Laura Marsh lbw for 26 and nought and it was little consolation to England as they scraped past their lowest ever Test score against India of 98 in Hyderabad 11 years ago.

Atkins and Laura Newton were offered nothing loose as they began England's second innings and Goswami struck again by bowling Newton for three.

England could ill afford the run out for Claire Taylor for 21 during the afternoon but India could not dislodge the resolute Atkins, who was content to occupy the crease and avoid risk.

Edwards was by far the more fluent of the two and collected 20 boundaries in reaching three figures off 204 balls just before the close in what was a priceless innings for her side.

Atkins reached her third Test half century and by the close had faced 288 deliveries in more than five hours at the crease to help England cut India's lead to just three runs, with eight wickets remaining.