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Cape Town - The Highveld Lions were fighting to save their Sunfoil Series clash against the Knights after an intriguing day three in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Another top-order failing left the home side five down with only 98 on the board, before they recovered to reach stumps on 128/5 – a lead of 24.
Before that, it was their bowlers that gave them hope when they restricted the visitors to a 104 lead after dismissing them for 248.
The competition’s leading wicket-taker, Hardus Viljoen (3/74), and Dwaine Pretorius (3/74) were the pick of the bowlers, while Pumelela Matshikwe (2/36) and Bjorn Fortuin (2/34) also played a role in the initial fightback.
It would have been even better for the Lions had Shadley van Schalkwyk (51) been dismissed quicker. Rudi Second had earlier top-scored with 70 (157 balls, 9 fours).
But the Lions repeated their first-innings mistakes by losing their top five with only around 100 on the board.
This time, though, they reached 80/2 thanks to Stephen Cook (42) and Alviro Petersen (30).
But a mini-collapse spelt trouble, before Temba Bavuma (20) and Pretorius (24) stabilised things, although they remained second favourites with a day to play.
Duanne Olivier was the pick of the bowlers with 2/39.
The match has effectively become a three-day affair after day one at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium was abandoned due to rain and a wet outfield.
