Captain Steve Patterson admitted his frustration as Yorkshire let a position of strength against Surrey slip during the third day at Scarborough.

The Division One leaders are now in the box seat to claim a fifth win from seven Specsavers County Championship matches this season.

Chasing 228, they are 89-0 start today, needing 139 more.

Earlier, Yorkshire gained a first-innings lead of 75 before being bowled out for 152 second time around, with ex-Tyke Morne Morkel claiming five wickets. "It was pretty disappointing to be honest,” said Patterson, who despite this has not ruled out his side’s chances of a stunning comeback.

“After two days of real hard work and fight to put ourselves in a strong position against the leaders, we were in a buoyant mood this morning knowing that if we could bowl them out early, we would have a reasonable first-innings lead and could drive the game.

"So it was disappointing to be 60 or 70 for six, which left us chasing the game.

"If we'd have set our stalls out in that hour before lunch to bat for a long time, we'd have been in a strong position.

"It was a combination (of Morkel bowling well and Yorkshire batting badly).

"I certainly think they bowled better than they did in the first innings. In the first, I think they got a bit carried away with the bounce and maybe bowled a bit short and wide. In fairness, they bowled well today.

"But we play a lot of cricket here and know how to score runs here. So it's frustrating that we didn't quite manage it. It's not game over, though.

“They are still 140 behind, and we know if we can get a couple of early wickets in the morning....it showed in the first innings. They were 90 or 100 for two and we bowled them out for 267. But we have to start very well in the morning.

"If we have a good first hour and pick up two or three for very little, we're right back in it. I've seen games here where it's changed in a heartbeat.

"We have to regroup and work hard."