Otago needs 43 more runs to claim its first outright win of the season in Auckland this morning, thanks to some fine pace bowling by Neil Wagner.
The Volts limited Auckland to fewer than 200 yesterday then knocked off more than 75% of the target by stumps.
At the close, Otago, chasing 197 to win, was 154 for four wickets, and Neil Broom and Derek de Border will walk to the crease this morning within sight of the first win of the season.
The possibility of a win was set up by some fine pace bowling by Wagner, who showed hostility and fire yesterday morning.
He notched up his best first-class figures (six for 50) and grabbed the first five Auckland wickets to fall.
He has taken 16 wickets in the first two games.
The South African, who will qualify for New Zealand at the end of this season, took two wickets late on Wednesday then started well yesterday, reducing Auckland to 45 for five.
He trapped former Otago batsman Greg Todd in front, giving the left-hander a pair for the match.
No-one from Auckland made any impression, with nightwatchman Gareth Shaw making the top score of 39, his best score at first-class level.
Shaw was at the crease for three hours but no-one could stay with him as Auckland was all out for 190.
He was dismissed by some fine work by Otago fieldsman Darren Broom.
Under the helmet close in, Broom picked up the ball and hit the wickets as Shaw strayed from the crease looking for a run.
Otago was aggressive in its chase, not wanting to give the Auckland attack any momentum.
It reached 50 in the ninth over and opener Aaron Redmond scored three boundaries off the first three balls bowled by former New Zealand paceman Andre Adams.
Redmond and skipper Craig Cumming had an opening stand of 55 and Nathan McCullum, batting at first drop, hit a brisk 26.
Redmond lost the strike after reaching 50 and was then dismissed, caught by Todd off Kyle Mills for 55.
Neil Broom, though, held firm and will look to knock the runs off quickly this morning.