YORKSHIRE look all set to collect a maximum 22 points off Somerset at Headingley, despite losing their Australian debutant Damien Martyn to a sickening injury which may yet spell the end of his career with the county after less than half a match.

Martyn had made a dazzling 87 in his maiden innings when he top-edged a fierce hook at Richard Johnson into his face and he bent double as blood spurted from an ugly wound to his nose which was feared fractured.

For the second time in as many days, an emergency ambulance had to be sent to Headingley and Martyn was whisked away to Leeds General Infirmary where his nose was straightened last night before he was discharged.

The incident stunned spectators who were still talking about the previous day's mishap to Steve Kirby, who collapsed while bowling and was taken to hospital for neuro scans and 'X'-rays.

Kirby cannot remember whether or not he was struck by a return drive from Nixon McLean before losing consciousness, but he was examined by the club doctor yesterday and sent home to rest in the hope that he will be able to resume his place in the side today.

Craig White and Martyn had batted beautifully for Yorkshire to hurry their fourth-wicket stand on to 146 before dismay struck twice in the space of two deliveries early in the afternoon.

Off the last ball of a Steffan Jones' over, White chopped into his leg stump and was out for 93 from 192 balls with 14 boundaries.

Then, the first ball of Johnson's next over finished up in Martyn's face and he retired hurt after receiving 121 deliveries off which he struck 15 perfectly-timed fours.

At 225-4, Yorkshire were effectively six down and they trailed by three runs, but the gloom was soon lifted by Darren Gough and Richard Dawson who blasted the ball to all parts in a thrilling stand of 108 in 17 overs in which they were aided by some dreadful fielding.

Dawson was finally out hitting back a low full toss to Neil Burns for 47 from 57 balls with three fours and a six.

But Gough continued until he had lashed 83 from 72 deliveries with 16 boundaries when he squirted Johnson to Jamie Cox at backward point.

Yorkshire were all out for 410 with a healthy lead of 182 and Gough was soon in the thick of it again as his first ball trapped Matthew Wood lbw, but against a paper-thin attack Neil Edwards and Michael Burns staged a fighting recovery.

In some desperation, Yorkshire's Matthew Wood was called upon to bowl the last over of the day and he had Burns snapped up at slip off his fourth ball by substitute fielder Chris Taylor for 34, leaving Edwards unbeaten on 54.

Somerset closed on 94-2, still trailing by 88 runs, and a refreshed Gough and Matthew Hoggard were hoping to cause early damage today to keep Yorkshire in the push for promotion.

Updated: 11:47 Friday, September 05, 2003