Otago will have to bat extremely well to escape Napier with a draw today.
After being comprehensively outplayed by Central Districts for three days, the Volts find themselves trailing by 180 runs with six wickets remaining.
It is a hellish deep hole the Volts have dug.
Some magic from Michael Bracewell (eight not out) and a helping hand from Brad Rodden (none not out) appears Otago's best prospect of avoiding defeat.
The visiting side fell behind on the opening day with a modest batting effort that netted just 207 runs.
Rain rescued Otago from all but 36 overs on day two but yesterday Central got into a winning position with a solid batting display and four late wickets.
A century from Ben Smith and some hard hitting from Doug Bracewell down the order allowed the home side to declare at 435 for six with a lead of 228.
By stumps, both Otago openers had been removed and Jesse Ryder had joined them following a brief 28-run cameo. Nightwatchman Nick Beard's vigil lasted just four balls.
Ben Wheeler and Doug Bracewell had nabbed two wickets apiece and Otago has been left reeling on 48 for four.
Earlier, Central resumed on 179 for two with Smith undefeated on 75 and Will Young on six.
Smith went on to post his second first-class hundred, which featured nine fours and a six and came off 207 balls.
The pair added 80 for the third wicket and every one of those runs took their team a bit closer to victory.
Ryder secured the important breakthrough, trapping Smith in front for 112, and Young was denied a 50 when Tipene Friday also got the umpire to raise his finger.
The runs kept coming, though, with Greg Hay chipping in with 25 and Kruger van Wyk adding 28 before Kieran Noema-Barnett (37 not out) and Doug Bracewell (73 not out) combined in an unbroken stand of 113.
• Wellington got its Plunket Shield campaign off to a fine start with a thrilling win over Canterbury at Hagley Oval yesterday, The New Zealand Herald reports.
Set a target of 307 to win, Wellington completed the job with an over to spare.
Batsman Stephen Murdoch led Wellington's charge with his sixth and highest first-class hundred, finishing 155 not out off 164 balls.
Earlier, Henry Nicholls completed his maiden first-class hundred for Canterbury, 119 in its second innings of 407 for seven declared.
