Opener Amit Pagnis scored a fighting 69 as Railways ended the penultimate day in the Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai on 269 for 7 in the first innings, at the Wankhede stadium on Mumbai on Monday.

Unbeaten on 34 in Railways' total of 47 for 1 overnight, Pagnis and Vineet Saxena (41) offered stubborn resistance to the Mumbai attack to end the third day 98 runs behind Mumbai's first innings total of 367.

Pagnis' 69 came off 199 balls, which included 11 fours, while Saxena scored 41 off 167 balls. The duo were involved in a 115-run partnership.

Romesh Powar claimed three wickets and Swapnil Hazare two wickets for Mumbai.

With only one day left in the match, a draw seems the likely result.

Scorecard

Mumbai (1st innings): 367

Railways (1st innings):
AA Pagnis lbw b Powar 69
SB Bangar b Hazare 2
VA Saxena c Indulkar b Powar 41
Raja Ali c Marathe b Kulkarni 34
YKT Goud c Kulkarni b Powar 31
Jai P Yadav c Muzumdar b Hazare 34
SN Khanolkar not out 29
M Kartik c Muzumdar b Salvi 12
SV Wankhede not out 1.
Extras: (b 2, lb 1, w 1, nb 12) 16
Total: (7 wickets, 116 overs) 269

To bat: KS Parida, Harvinder Singh.

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-123, 3-128, 4-184, 5-200, 6-245, 7-261.

Bowling: Salvi 19-5-39-1, Hazare 20-3-57-2 (3nb), Mota 15-7-27-0 (1nb), Powar 35-5-92-3 (8nb, 1w), Kulkarni 27-8-51-1.