Karnataka are staring at defeat on the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'A' match against Railways at Bangalore on Sunday.

After conceding a first innings lead of 105 runs, the hosts ended the day on 181 for six in the second knock. They are ahead by only 76 runs with four wickets in hand and a full day's play left.

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Resuming at 256 for four, the visitors did not last long and their innings folded up for 299. Raja Ali, who resumed on 100, went on to make 113 before being bowled by N C Aiyappa.

Aiyappa was in fact the pick of the Karnataka bowlers, taking five wickets for 63 runs, while Dodda Ganesh and R Vinay Kumar scalped three and two respectively.

Karnataka began their second innings on a disappointing note as Barrington Rowland was dismissed without scoring in the fourth over. Captain Sujith Somasundar contributed with a well made 58 (9x4).

The biggest blow for Karnataka was dealt by Railways off-spinner Kulamani Parida when he trapped Indian vice captain Rahul Dravid [Images] leg before wicket for 38. Kulamani was the most successful bowler for the visitors as he ended the day with three wickets.

At stumps, Sunil Joshi was unbeaten on eight and Ganesh was not out on four, with Sanjay Bangar-led Railways in the driver's seat.

Scoreboard:

Karnataka first innings: 194

Railways first innings:
Amit Pagnis lbw b Aiyappa 36
Sanjay Bangar b R Vinaykumar 8
Tejinderpal Singh b Aiyappa 15
J P Yadav c Dravid b Aiyappa 54
Raja Ali b Aiyappa 113
K Yere Goud c Naidu b Ganesh 30
Siddarth Varma b Ganesh   6
Siddarth Joshi c Shinde b Ganesh 0
K Parida not out 8
Harvinder Singh b Aiyappa   5
Madan Yadav b Vinay Kumar 0

Extras (b7, lb2, nb15) 24

Total (all out in 102.4 overs) 299

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-59, 3-84, 4-156, 5-270, 6-281, 7-281, 8-287, 9-294.

Bowling: D Ganesh 24-5-87-3; R Vinay Kumar 23.4-6-49-2; N C Aiyappa 21-6-63-5; Sunil B Joshi 26-6-64-0; C Raghavendra 8-0-27-0.

Karnataka 2nd innings:
Robin Uthappa b J P Yadav 25
Barrington Rowland c Siddarth Varma b Bangar  0
Sujith Somasundar c Siddarth Joshi b J P Yadav  58
Rahul Dravid lbw b Parida 38
Sudhindra Shinde b Parida  19
Thilak Naidu lbw b Parida 17
Sunil Joshi not out  8
D Ganesh not out  4

Extras (b8, lb2, nb1, w1) 12

Total (for 6 wickets in 70 overs) 181

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-29, 3-123, 4-129, 5-159, 6-170.

Bowling: Harvinder Singh 11-7-17-0; Sanjay Bangar 16-6-29-1; J P Yadav 16-8-23-2; K Parida 18-0-70-3; Madan Yadav 9-1-32-0.