YORKSHIRE first-team coach Jason Gillespie admitted his amazement at his side as they completed a 305-run victory over Nottinghamshire at Scarborough.

Tim Bresnan recorded career-best figures of five for 36 as the Tykes took the seven wickets needed for victory on day four as they wrapped up the result early in the afternoon session.

The win leaves them just five points behind leaders Middlesex in their pursuit of a third-straight County Championship title, though they have now played the same number of games as their closest rivals.

And Gillespie was keen to praise both the performances and the attitude of his squad as they recovered from being 51-6 on the first morning to win in such a resounding manner.

“It’s a very important result against a very good side,“ he said. “Obviously Notts didn’t play their best cricket but we knew they were going to be a good challenge.

“We’re pleased as punch. To go from 51 for six on the first day to win by 300 runs – this team never ceases to amaze me.

“It’s important how you respond to the positions we find ourselves in at times, but I couldn’t be any more proud of them. There’s no words to describe it.

“You can point to a number of individual performances this game that were wonderful, but with the team collective there was no panic. There was a real calmness in the dressing room even when we found ourselves in a spot of bother.

“That is a hallmark of a decent side and a team that backs their ability, trusts their game and believes. That’s fantastic for us going into these last four games but we know we just have to control what we can and keep level-headed.

“Hopefully that will give us a chance to compete and put us somewhere near the top at the end of the season.”

With heavy overnight rain having threatened to derail Yorkshire’s hopes of pushing for victory, the club took the decision to transport the vehicle used to dry the outfield at Headingley – or ‘Blotter’ – to the east coast during the early hours of the morning.

The call paid dividends as play was able to start on time, and Bresnan needed only four deliveries to get the ball rolling as Tom Moores (41) edged to Adam Lyth at second slip having failed to add to his overnight score.

Having taken two wickets the previous evening, Bresnan was on a roll, and Samit Patel was the next to go as he feathered an edge through to Andrew Hodd before the same bowler accounted for Chris Read, who sliced a drive to Jake Lehmann at fourth slip.

Bresnan’s efforts saw him finish the match with figures of eight for 51 across the two innings – an effort which also represents a career-best match analysis.

Brendan Taylor and Brett Hutton (20) did defy the home bowlers for a period as they added 47 for the seventh wicket, but the dismissal of the latter – caught behind off Ryan Sidebottom with the third ball after lunch – sparked a late order collapse.

Taylor (37) fell in the next over to Jack Brooks before Luke Fletcher was bowled first ball having been beaten for pace.

Imran Tahir was able to defend the hat-trick delivery, but he only lasted four balls before fending Brooks off to Alex Lees at short-leg as Notts were bowled out for 146.