Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - Central Districts were left ruing lost opportunities after they fell frustratingly short of an upset win in their Plunket Shield four-day cricket match against Otago in Napier today.

In the end, Otago held firm and secured their first points of the competition but had to stave off a strong Central finish before first innings points were safe.

Otago's mammoth first innings of 534 for eight declared had Central on the back foot right from the start, and the southerners looked to have the game under total control when they rolled Central for 190 and enforced the follow-on.

Led by a superb 135 from opener Peter Ingram, Central turned their game around to amass 517 in their second innings, setting Otago a target of 174 in 32 overs today.

And with Michael Mason and Ewen Thompson in superb form, Otago had to dig deep before eventually holding on to finish the day at 133 for eight.

Central Districts coach Dermot Reeve was happy with the way his team turned their game around after a less-than-impressive start.

"Some harsh words were said in the dressing room at the end of day two, and their application and character were far more evident on the last two days," Reeve told NZPA.

"In the end, it was a good fightback."

Reeve paid tribute to Mason and Thompson, who both churned out the overs as Central chased an unlikely win.

Mason finished the day with impressive figures of four for 63 off 16 overs while Thompson picked up three for 58 from 14.

"Mason and Thompson showed a lot of character, they both bowled really long spells," Reeve said.

"Early wickets were important and Mason, who's nursing a lower leg injury, battled through on adrenalin. He might not have done himself too many favours for the next match, though.

" But when he's on form with ball he's up there with the best in the country."