Man-of-the-match Darren Lehmann rescued Yorkshire from deep crisis against Bedfordshire at Luton yesterday to guide them through to the next round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy with a four wicket victory over the plucky Minor Counties' side.

The Australian, batting with great determination, struck 88 before being bowled shortly before the end, Yorkshire reaching their 212 target with 21 balls to spare.

Their reward is now a tough encounter with Benson and Hedges Cup finalists Surrey at Headingley in the fourth round on July 11.

Yorkshire had stumbled to 62 for four at one stage and, but for Lehmann's expertise, they could easily have made an embarrassing exit from the competition just a couple of days after going down to Gloucestershire in the semi-finals of the Benson & Hedges Cup.

On that occasion, Yorkshire subsided when a moment's carelessness by Lehmann cost him his wicket.

But his concentration never wavered this time and he gradually wore down Bedfordshire who had rightly held hopes of pulling off a shock victory.

Bedfordshire were positive from the start when they won the toss and decided to bat first but they were greatly assisted in making a commendable 211 for nine by some wayward bowling by Yorkshire, who gave away 24 in wides and 12 in no-balls.

Despite twice bowling legside wides which went to the boundary, adding ten to the total, Ryan Sidebottom emerged as the most successful bowler with four for 39 and there were two wickets apiece for Chris Silverwood and Lehmann.

Oliver Clayson top-scored with 34 before being smartly stumped by Richard Blakey off Lehmann.

But the most fruitful partnerships came from captain Andy Roberts and David Clarke, who put on 51 for the second wicket, and James Knott, son of Alan, and Andy Trott with 48 in nine overs for the seventh.

It should have been a stroll for Yorkshire but they got into all sorts of trouble in a fine opening spell from Burnley-born paceman Shaun Rashid who grabbed three wickets.

First to go was Matthew Wood, who pushed back a slower ball, while skipper David Byas fell lbw and Michael Lumb gloved a catch to Knott down the legside from an irresponsible stroke.

Gary Fellows also departed to a rash shot, stepping down the wicket to spinner Roberts and being stumped.

However, Vic Craven provided Lehmann with the support he so urgently needed.

They carefully put on 62 in 14 overs, but Yorkshire were still not out of the woods when Craven clipped Will Sneath to mid-wicket to make it 124 for five.

Gavin Hamilton, however, showed few signs of nerves and he played a full part in a 79 stand in 12 overs with Lehmann who cantered to his 50 off 67 balls with three fours.

Lehmann could have been run out for 63 if Roberts' throw had hit the stumps but it was a rare moment of unease and Yorkshire were just nine short of their target when Lehmann went for a big hit and was bowled by the admirable Rashid, leaving Hamilton to hit the winning run for an unbeaten and invaluable 30.