LINCOLNSHIRE director of cricket Mark Fell believes the pressure is on Dorset after day two of the Minor Counties Championship final almost ended in parity.

The Imp County were yesterday bowled out for 254 at Dean Park, in Bournemouth, in reply to Dorset's total on day one of 245.

The home side were then 10 without loss, a lead of just one, when heavy rain brought an early end to the day.

Lincs could have been in a much worse position as at one stage they were 110 for six, but a century from Vikram Atri and contributions from the tailenders helped them surpass Dorset's total.

With the game so finely poised going into the third of four days, Fell described today's match as "a one innings game now", and backed his players to come out on top.

"It has turned out pretty well for us in the end. It's an even game," he said.

"At 110 for six I thought we were going to be struggling. We were looking at giving them a 70 to 80-run lead which would not have been too good on this wicket.

"Hopefully now we can bowl pretty well in the morning and chase a low total.

"It's a total one innings game now. It is like a one-day game.

"Really the pressure is on them now to go out and set us a good score. As long as we bowl well then all the pressure is all going to be on them.

"Yes we are going to be batting last on a wearing pitch, but if we can keep them to around 200 then we will back ourselves to go on and win the game."

With the exception of Atri who scored 118, his first century for Lincs this season, the top order all failed to make significant contributions.

"If you look at Dorset's innings, one man dominated for them as well, so our innings was similar," said Fell.

"But we know we can bat a lot better in the second innings.

"Vikram is a class player and he proved it yesterday.

"We mentioned at lunch that we needed two good partnerships, and if we got that then we would be up there around their score.

"We got three where they all chipped in and then right at the end Alex Osmond and Colin Cheer got a few as well which took us right up and past their total which was a big bonus for us."