RELEGATED Worcestershire let a promising position slip in yet another Specsavers County Championship Division One clash.

Kevin Sharp's side had reduced Yorkshire to 193-7 in reply to 340 all out at Blackfinch New Road.

But the visitors, who have dodged the drop thanks to bowling bonus points in the final match of the campaign, recovered to 417-9 for a lead of 77 thanks to Gary Ballance's 189 not out.

The one-time England batsman steered Yorkshire past the threat of being asked to follow on until he was joined by Jack Brooks in a run-laced final session.

The pair added 171 in 27 overs for a ninth-wicket best against Worcestershire and gained a lead that seemed unlikely when they joined forces at 232-8.

Brooks followed up his six-wicket haul with 82 before being dismissed in the penultimate over.

It left Ballance unbeaten off 213 deliveries with two sixes and 29 fours.

And Worcestershire were left to reflect on another situation that slipped from their grasp when well placed — a major factor in their relegation to Division Two.

They seemed powerless to stop the onslaught and were handicapped by the absence after tea of paceman Josh Tongue with a foot injury as Ballance and Brooks cut loose almost at will.

The hosts resumed the day on 319-8 and Ben Coad struck with the fourth delivery without addition to the score as he trapped Ben Twohig (30) lbw.

Brooks wrapped up the innings with figures of 22-3-94-6 as Dillon Pennington (7) was caught behind to leave Tongue unbeaten on 30.

Yorkshire's Adam Lyth made a quick 27 before he fell lbw to Wayne Parnell and Jack Leaning (13) was undone by a fine delivery from Tongue to be comprehensively bowled.

Spinner Twohig swooped with the final delivery before lunch as Jeet Raval (21) dragged the ball onto his stumps.

Ex-Worcestershire batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore (8) went lbw to Twohig and Jonathan Tattersall (19) had his off stump knocked out by a Tongue delivery which kept low.

Pennington, who had impressed in Worcestershire’s win in the away match at Scarborough, had Tim Bresnan (7) pouched at second slip.

Tongue’s third success was also clean bowled in the form of Tykes skipper Steven Patterson (6) and shortly after tea debutant James Logan (6) fell lbw to Moeen Ali.

But then the balance of power shifted dramatically as Ballance and Brooks raced along at more than six-an-over.

The carnage only ended when Brooks, having struck 15 fours in his 99-ball knock, edged Moeen through to wicketkeeper Ben Cox.

A total of 203 runs came from 32 overs after tea.