A lower order rearguard action was enough to keep Shropshire in contention in their Minor Counties Championship game at Oxfordshire.

The visitors had appeared in trouble when they were reduced to 153-6 shortly after lunch on day one at Great & Little Tew.

But Andy Gray’s 87, his highest score for Shropshire, 58 from Steve Taylor and a gritty 26 from Matt Tilt helped the visitors reach 353-9 at the end of their 90 overs.

Oxfordshire were 73-0 in reply by the close.

“We got out of jail with the bat because we didn’t capitalise on a good start and being 90-1,” said captain Ed Foster.

“The middle order didn’t really fire on what is a very good wicket and lightning fast outfield.

“But full credit to Andy, Steve and Matt because they kept us in the game and given us a chance.

“It would have been nice to get one, two or even three wickets last night.

“But they were always going to be fairly cautious towards the end of the day so it made it difficult to draw a false shot.”

Simon Hole made the first breakthrough for Oxfordshire when he bowled stand-in opener Will Parton for 18, before Foster and Chris Murtagh impressively took the score close to three figures.

Murtagh had looked in imperious form but was stumped off the bowling of Jack Taylor by Craig Haupt for 33.

Off-spinner Taylor, who went on to claim six wickets, bowled Richard Oliver for two shortly after before a partnership of 45 between Foster and Jono Whitney steadied the ship.

Staring

But Whitney, Foster – who made 60 – and debutant Ryan Lockely all fell to the spin of Jack Taylor and Luke Ryan for nine runs to leave Shropshire staring down the barrel.

Gray and Tilt, however, had other ideas and their seventh wicket stand of 96 gave the visitors hope.

Tilt became Jack Taylor’s fourth victim after a patient 26 before Gray and Steve Taylor maintained the late assault.

Both fell to Jack Taylor but not before taking Shropshire past 325 to ensure maximum batting points.

Damian Shirazi and Richard Kaufman then saw Oxfordshire through to the close with little alarm.

By JAMES GARRISON