Blain stars for Scotland

John Blain's fine 93 helped Scotland post 314 at Stormont

John Blain hit a career-best 93 as Scotland and Ireland continued to struggle for supremacy on the second day of their Intercontinental Cup clash in Belfast.

The former Yorkshire seamer's heroics enabled the Scots to reach a challenging 314 on a difficult Stormont wicket.

However, despite losing four early wickets, Ireland fought back to reach 179 for four by the close, an unbroken stand of 120 between Niall O'Brien and Andre Botha giving the hosts a slight advantage.

After Scotland had toiled to reach 183 for seven on Thursday, Blain and Simon Smith showed a little more adventure on the second morning.

Smith, the inexperienced Grange wicketkeeper, reached 40 - his highest first-class score - before being trapped in front by leg-spinner Greg Thompson, having helped Blain add 79 valuable runs for the eighth wicket.

That was the only morning success for Ireland as Scotland added 100 runs in the first session with Blain moving doggedly to 71 with the help of one glorious six over extra cover off Thompson.

Worcestershire bowler Dewald Nel was another willing partner for Blain as a 60-run stand provided further frustration for Ireland.

Nel, having made 22 from 69 balls, was eventually adjudged lbw to Kevin O'Brien, who was the home side's most successful bowler with 4-38.

The seamer's final act was to deny Blain a century when he holed out to Thompson, having faced 259 balls and hit 11 fours and two sixes.

Ireland were then reduced to 59 for four as Nel and Craig Wright struck twice but Northamptonshire wicketkeeper-batsman O'Brien led the recovery with a superb unbeaten 83.

He survived one difficult chance early on but went on to plunder 14 boundaries while Botha provided excellent support with 53 not out.

Ireland need 136 more runs to take the first-innings bonus points when play resumes on Saturday.