Wellington, March 5 NZPA - Canterbury's Plunket Shield cricket final aspirations were dented in New Plymouth today as Central Districts comfortably secured first innings points before enforcing the follow-on.

Central thoroughly dominated the second day at Pukekura Park as Canterbury as Brendon Diamanti and the tail wagged appreciably before the visitor's chase for 414 folded well short on 223.

At the close Canterbury still faced a 165-run shortfall at 26 for one after Michael Papps was trapped leg before wicket by first innings destroyer Ewen Thompson for a golden duck.

Rob Nicol (1) and Peter Fulton (19) are responsible for continuing the recovery mission tomorrow.

By taking two first innings points, Central draw level with Canterbury on 20 points, second on the ladder behind Northern Districts.

The contest might have been evenly poised at the close yesterday after CD made 289 for seven.

Crucially for the home side Brendon Diamanti extended his overnight 47 to within six runs of his third first class century as the allrounder glued the lower order together expertly.

Diamanti, who racked up 10 boundaries and a trio of sixes during his 204-ball stay, was well supported by Doug Bracewell (27) before Seth Rance slammed a demoralising 50 from just 39 deliveries.

Canterbury's quest for first innings points never gained any traction as only three batsmen passed 30 - Papps opened with 44 and Johan Myburgh contributed 47 in the middle order before fellow South African Kruger van Wyk produced a brisk 57 featuring a dozen boundaries.

Thompson claimed five for 68 from 21 overs of accurate pace while Adam Milne marked his surprise call up after Michael Mason was promoted to the New Zealand one-day squad for an injured Jacob Oram yesterday by snaring four for 52.