Brendon McCullum retains an outside hope of the BLACKCAPS levelling the Test series against England.
McCullum was elevated to number three in the order ahead of the third and final Test at Trent Bridge.
After being forced to follow on, he contributed 63 to the second innings in a stand of 94 with Daniel Flynn.
Flynn showed his maturity and resolve with 49, but neither man made it to the end of the day’s play.
At stumps, the BLACKCAPS were 177 for five, still 64 adrift of forcing their hosts to bat again.
The vice-captain was unhappy not to still be able to lead the pursuit for safety, but kept faith in his team-mates to bring up the remaining runs and force a lead.
He said: “I thought we put together a pretty good partnership, something that put a little belief in the team, so it was hugely disappointing to lose Daniel and myself towards the end.
“We’re long odds, that’s for sure. We’re obviously behind the eight ball, but if we can manufacture a 150 or 180 lead out of somewhere, then who knows what could happen?”
On Flynn, McCullum added: “He’s a tough character and he desperately wants to play cricket for New Zealand.
“He came back from a horrific injury in a very short space of time and he was keen to get out there from the word go.
“It’s obviously very important for him from his perspective and his development to get out there with conditions as tough as they were.”
Gareth Hopkins (seven) and Jacob Oram (eight) resume at the crease on day four.
