Queensland go into the final day of the Sheffield Shield clash with NSW holding a 108-run lead but on a slow Mackay pitch a stalemate looms large.
After dismissing NSW for 280, Queensland are 1-26 in response.
Scott Henry (6 not out) and Sam Heazlett (2 no) added just six runs to the total in 13.5 overs after the dismissal of first innings centurion Matthew Renshaw for 16.
It all suggests the fixture might fizzle out, the Bulls hardly pressing for runs to build a substantial lead.
Earlier Queensland paceman Luke Feldman (4-45) skittled through the NSW lower order in an inspired 11-ball spell after tea.
Sean Abbott (36) was bowled after a wild swing through the legside, then two balls later Gurinder Sandhu found himself trapped leg before for a duck.
Steve O'Keefe (29) was caught hooking to a fine catch from James Hopes, running round from deep backward square leg, and then Doug Bollinger was bowled for a duck to end the innings.
Abbott and O'Keefe had put on 55 runs to bring the Blues within a hundred of Queensland's 342 total before the collapse.
Beginning day three at 3-102, Ben Rohrer (56) and Kurtis Patterson (55) extended their partnership to 81, before the former was run out by a direct hit from Mitch Swepson at mid-on.
Patterson, who took 227 deliveries to reach his half-century, was bowled by Jason Floros (4-57) and the off-spinner also took the wicket of Ryan Carters (31), caught at long-on by Renshaw.
Although the move to Mackay proved incredibly popular, seeing more than 2,000 spectators in attendance on the first day, players will surely hope for a more lively pitch if Queensland are to play away from the Gabba in the future.
The slow wicket has helped pace bowlers contain batsmen but made them little threat - which only emphasises how impressive Feldman's spell was.
There is also little to suggest the pitch will crumble to aid spinners on the final day.
"It's a massive contrast, going to be trying to go at eight-to-ten runs an over in the Big Bash, whereas here the whole game it's been two, two-and-a-half," said Feldman, who is contracted to the Brisbane Heat.
"I knew North Queensland was in drought but I didn't realise how dry it was.
"It's a pretty dead wicket. Hopefully it will crack up and the spinners will get something out of the rough tomorrow.
Feldman says credit for his quick-fire four-wicket haul should be shared with teammates who kept the Blues from scoring quickly.
"The hard work was done early, it was the context of the game that helped me," he said.
"We've all bowled pretty good areas."
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