Toby Roland-Jones’ four-wicket return was not enough to prevent Yorkshire gaining the upper hand over Middlesex on day two of their County Championship decider at Lord’s.

Roland-Jones ended the day with figures of 4-31, including two wickets in three balls – but the visitors fought back through a century partnership between Tim Bresnan and Andrew Hodd.

The Yorkshire pair put on 116 for the fifth wicket as their side closed on 235-6, a first innings deficit of only 35 after bowling Middlesex out for 270 in the morning session.

Resuming at 208-5 overnight, Middlesex made slow progress and Nick Gubbins’ innings of 125 came to an end when he drove a widish delivery from Bresnan to second slip.

James Franklin attempted to force the pace, hitting David Willey for three fours in a over as he reached 48 before edging Bresnan (3-48) behind – and Jack Brooks then wrapped up the tail to finish with figures of 6-65.

Roland-Jones soon had Yorkshire in trouble when the visitors began their reply after lunch, yorking Alex Lees and then removing Gary Ballance and Andrew Gale – both to sharp slip catches from Ollie Rayner.

All three departed without scoring and, when Adam Lyth (43) was bowled by Steven Finn, the White Rose county were floundering at 53-4.

However, Hodd – who was given a life by Nick Compton – and Bresnan dug their side out of a hole with a spirited partnership, finally ended when Roland-Jones trapped the wicketkeeper leg before for 64.

David Willey slammed two sixes in his brisk knock of 22 before falling lbw to Tim Murtagh, but Bresnan remained unbeaten on 72 as Yorkshire closed in the home side’s total.