Queensland has battled back into the Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval, building a small lead heading into the final day.
After struggling at 4-69 at one stage, an excellent 93 from Nick Kruger, plus a supporting knock from Chris Hartley, helped the Bulls back into the contest. They were 5-159 at stumps, 58 runs in front.
The Bulls had trailed the Tigers by 101 runs on the first innings and looked in serious trouble when they slumped to 3-29 just before tea.
Ryan Broad was the first to fall for the visitors, caught by Ed Cowan at gully for two off the bowling of Tim MacDonald (1-31) when the score was on nine.
Adam Maher (2-29) then put the Tigers in a strong position when he had Wade Townsend trapped in front for five and then bowled Leigh Carseldine (four) two balls later.
Glen Batticciotto was bowled for 15 by Brendan Drew (2-30) before Hartley and Kruger combined for a crucial 76-run stand.
Drew broke that partnership as well, with Kruger hooking the ball to MacDonald at mid-wicket just seven runs short of his century.
Hartley (26 not out) and Nathan Reardon (seven not out) got through to stumps and will look to hopefully build a difficult target for Tasmania on the final morning.
Earlier a century to skipper George Bailey helped Tasmania to first-innings points.
Bailey was out in the final over before lunch on Wednesday for 115 but not before combining with Tim Paine (20) and Drew (35), while Adam Griffith's late unbeaten 40 also ensured the Tigers eventually reached 427.
Already the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield, Ben Cutting has continued his fine summer with a haul of 6-90 from 28 overs while Reardon captured 2-101 and Luke Feldman (1-83) and Chris Swan (1-75) grabbed the other wickets.
After resuming on 3-251 Tasmania's cause suffered an early setback when former captain Dan Marsh edged behind off Cutting for 25 before a double breakthrough in which Cutting sent Paine and then John Rogers (zero) on their way to leave the hosts at 6-289.
But any hopes Queensland harboured of quickly running through the tail and taking first-innings points to draw level with Sheffield Shield ladder leader Victoria on 22 points were dashed as Bailey and Drew put on 88 for the seventh wicket.
Bailey top-edged a slog sweep to fall to Reardon, though, and Cutting followed up by dismissing Drew and MacDonald (zero) before Griffith thrashed six fours and a six in his rapid-fire innings which lasted only 29 balls.
Sitting second-last on the ladder with just nine points before the game started, the Tigers need maximum points to keep their hopes of making the final alive while the Bulls will be hoping to take over top spot on the table from the Bushrangers.
Queensland 1st innings: 326
Tasmania 1st innings
Lockyear c Hartley b Feldman 85
Cowan c Hartley b Reardon 22
Doolan c Hartley b Cutting 66
Bailey c Hartley b Reardon 49
Marsh c Hartley b Cutting 25
Paine c Hartley b Cutting 20
Rogers b Cutting 0
Drew c Swan b Cutting 35
Griffith not out 40
MacDonald c Batticciotto b Cutting 0
Maher c Carseldine b Swan 3
Extras: 16 (7lb, 1b, 2w, 6nb)
Total: 427 (all out; 117.2 overs)
FOW: 1-61, 2-167, 3-190, 4-255, 5-289, 6-289, 7-377, 8-384, 9-395, 10-427
Bowling:
Cutting 28 - 5 -