Canterbury's Iain Robertson, a late substitute, struck an unbeaten 107 to help steer New Zealand A to a meritorious draw against England A at Christchurch.
New Zealand were in a battle to avoid a defeat in the four-day match when they resumed their second innings on the final day this morning on Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
New Zealand A needed another 385 runs to overhaul England A after resuming on 72 for one. At stumps they were 393 for nine.
They lost Ewen Thompson before the start of play after the Central Districts bowler was called up to the New Zealand one-day squad for the fourth one-day international against India in Hamilton tomorrow.
His departure was the reason Robertson found himself at the crease.
Aaron Redmond and Daniel Flynn who resumed their innings this morning shared a 92-run partnership before Redmond departed for 55, leg before wicket to Liam Plunkett.
His fellow batsmen went about the run-chase in a solid fashion with Flynn going on to score 45, Peter Fulton 45 and Kane Williamson 48.
With the score at 223 for six at Fulton's dismissal by off-spinner Gareth Batty, Reece Young stepped up to score 59 in a partnership of 147 with Robertson.
Robertson pushed hard to keep New Zealand in sight of a win, taking just 55 balls for his half century as his partnership with Young blossomed.
England fought back with Sajid Mahmood removing incoming batsman Bruce Martin for a duck leaving New Zealand 371 for eight.
New Zealand went to drinks in the final session at 373 for eight with Robertson and Brent Arnel at the crease needing to play out 15 overs in the final hour of play.
Arnel was dismissed for five runs with 4.2 overs left but bowler Chris Martin -- a true No 11 batsman -- stoutly faced his share of eight balls in the dying overs to help secure a draw.
Mahmood was the best of the England bowlers taking three for 118 with Plunkett and Jonathan Trott taking another two each.
The teams also drew their first four-day match at Queenstown.
The teams next play two one-dayers and a Twenty20.
NZPA.
Day 3: New Zealand A in battle to avoid defeat
New Zealand A are in a battle to avoid defeat in the second and final four-day cricket match against England A at Christchurch.
Going into the fourth day tomorrow, New Zealand are 72 for one needing another 385 runs to overhaul England A.
The visitors, who scored 346 in their first innings, declared their second innings closed today at 353 for nine to establish a lead of 456 after resuming on their overnight score of 56-0.
A century to Luke Wright and a half century by Jonathon Trott provided a solid foundation for England A's second innings.
Wright, from Sussex and Ben Scott, from Middlesex, shared a 117-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Scott was bowled by James Franklin for 47.
Earlier openers Stephen Moore and captain Robert Key put on 82 for the first wicket with Key departing for 38, leg before wicket to Brent Arnel.
Franklin was the best of New Zealand's bowlers, picking up three for 56 with Ewen Thompson, Arnel and Bruce Martin taking two wickets each before Key declared.
New Zealand, who scored 243 in their first innings, resume tomorrow on Bert Sutcliffe Oval with Alan Redmond 27 not out and Daniel Flynn 28 not out.
The teams drew their first four-day match at Queenstown.
Day 2: England A on top with 159 run lead
England A added 15 runs this morning to take their total to 346 before New Zealand A took the final wicket they required to end the first innings on day two of the test match at the Burt Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
New Zealand A lost early wickets and were 59 for five before Kane Williamson and Reece Young steadied the innings with a 83 run partnership for the sixth wicket before Williamson went for 35.
Wicketkeeper batsman Young then combined with Ewen Thompson to add a further 83 for the seventh wicket and recorded New Zealand A’s top score of 73. Thompson was the last wicket to fall after hitting an aggressive 60 off only 56 deliveries with the 243 on the board.
Mark Davies was the best of the England attack taking four for 47 including the scalps of recent BLACKCAPS Aaron Redmond, Jamie How, Peter Fulton and James Franklin. Gareth Batty was next best with three for 49.
England A will resume their second inning tomorrow on 56 without loss and a lead of 159.
Day 1: Tail wags on day one for England A
The tail wagged for the England Lions as they made it through to 331 for nine on day one of their four day match against New Zealand A at in Lincoln.
After winning the toss and putting the visitors in New Zealand A would have been relatively happy with 112 for 5 but the England A lower middle order and tail rallied defiantly.
Discarded England player Samit Patel made 64 with all-rounders Luke Wright (69) and Graeme Batty (64) also making contributions. But it was a rearguard 29 from Liam Plunkett and an aggressive unbeaten 40 off 46 from Sajid Mahmood that hurt the home side.
Ewen Thompson picked up three for 85 off 17 for New Zealand A with Brent Arnel taking three for 46 off 18.
