Jason Gillespie conceded Yorkshire had missed a chance to reclaim top spot in division one after their Championship match against Nottinghamshire finished with a draw at Headingley.

Yorkshire’s first-team coach knew that victory on the final day would have propelled his side over Somerset, the current leaders, to reclaim the summit, but they were unable to capitalise on early wickets to drive the final day.

Resuming on 102 for two leading by 60, Nottinghamshire briefly fell into trouble when they lost three wickets in the morning session, only for James Taylor and captain Chris Read to forge a 115-run sixth-wicket stand to effectively end Yorkshire’s hopes of victory.

Nottinghamshire finally declared on 335 for eight, setting Yorkshire an unlikely victory target of 294 from 39 overs and both sides settled on the draw after they reached 53 for three after 31 overs.

“I think it is a chance missed and it goes back to the batting in the first innings,” said Gillespie. “Our top six need to take responsibility and to get the job done.”

Steve Patterson provided Yorkshire with early hope by claiming two wickets in an over, denying Michael Lumb his half-century when he was caught behind before Samit Patel chipped to short mid-wicket to claim a pair in the match.

When Riki Wessels also fell lbw to Tim Bresnan, leaving Nottinghamshire on 154 for five, 112 ahead, Yorkshire had a chance until Read teamed up with Taylor in the partnership that changed the fortunes of the match.

Yorkshire only had one opportunity to break the stand – Patterson failing to take a sharp return catch from Read – but Bresnan could have run out Taylor in the confusion that followed but threw down the stumps at the non-striker’s end where both batsmen were in their ground.

Taylor became one of four victims for Bresnan, caught at square leg four short of his century, while Read’s aggressive innings of 75 off 94 balls, including nine fours and a six, were also off the same bowler when he was caught in the deep.

After finally declaring, Yorkshire had just enough time to have a brief period of anxiety, losing three early wickets but captain Andrew Gale and Jonny Bairstow successfully batted out the remaining 13 overs until the close to assure Yorkshire of second place in the table.