Resuming the fourth day of a rain-hit Test 166 runs behind on 121 for four, England were hoping Andrew Strauss could lead them out of trouble and claim his first century since last summer.

But Strauss fell for 77 while Ian Bell was also dismissed and it took a determined stand between Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior to guide England to 202 for six at lunch.

Middlesex left-hander Strauss had resumed on 72 hoping to claim his first century in 18 Test innings but added only five to his overnight total before becoming the fourth victim of the innings for fast bowler Fidel Edwards.

Extracting more pace and bounce than the other members of West Indies' attack, Edwards surprised Strauss with a lifting delivery in the fourth over of the day and induced him into edging behind to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Collingwood, playing his first Test at his home Riverside ground, managed to steady the innings and forged a determined sixth-wicket 32-run stand with Bell which appeared to have weathered the storm.

Just two balls after the drinks break, however, seamer Daren Powell dismissed Bell with an outswinger which he drove to Runako Morton in the gully for 11.

Durham all-rounder Collingwood, who had survived some nervy moments early in his innings when he drove over the top of the slip cordon on two occasions, was also fortunate when he edged Edwards behind on 22 only for Ramdin to drop the regulation chance.

Television replays saved Ramdin's embarrassment by indicating the ball had missed the bat and deflected off his thigh pad behind, but it was a further reminder of the dangers ahead for England.

Wicketkeeper Prior was also given an early reprieve when he shouldered arms to his third ball from Powell before he had scored and Ramdin immediately threw down the stumps from several feet away.

Umpires Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar immediately sought the advice of third official Nigel Llong, but replays confirmed Prior had grounded his bat before the stumps were broken.

Prior recovered from that early escape to finish unbeaten on 16 at lunch while Collingwood had progressed to 35 to leave England trailing by 85 runs.