Jason Gillespie hailed Yorkshire’s come-from-behind LV= County Championship win over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, completed today by a massive 271-run margin, as one of the very best.

The county’s coach saw his side claim 19 points to move to the top of Division One having been bowled out for 136 during Saturday’s first day.

Yorkshire, who could be replaced at the top tomorrow depending on other results, needed seven wickets during today’s final day, which Northants started at 66-3 in pursuit of 432. They were bowled out for 160 in the early stages of the afternoon session.

Liam Plunkett enhanced his claims for an England Test recall with a season’s best haul of 4-42 from 14.1 overs, with all four of his wickets coming today.

“It was a massive performance in terms of character from our players,” said Gillespie.

“From 136 all out in 40 overs on day one with the ball nipping around – and we didn’t bowl particularly well ourselves on day one even though we created enough opportunities – I thought our cricket was incredible.

“It’s one of the best wins I’ve seen for a long time in any cricket.

“We saw earlier this season that Lancashire came here and were bowled out for 119 and managed to go on and win the game, and that was an impressive performance. We’ve matched that.

“If you want to challenge for the top two or three spots, you need to put in performances like that and bounce back from poor sessions, poor hours and poor days.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the lads. Andrew Gale asked the lads to show some fight and find a way to get back into the game. They certainly did that. I can’t be prouder of them.”

Tim Bresnan (3-46 from 16) gave Yorkshire the perfect start with a wicket with the first ball of the day, Matt Spriegel trapped lbw offering no shot as Northants slipped to 66-4. From then on, the writing was on the wall.

This was Yorkshire’s third Championship win from seven matches and their second over Northants.