The Volts will take a 190-run lead into the final day after Central was dismissed for 378, in reply to Otago's first innings total of 357.
Central resumed yesterday on 316 for seven.
Ewen Thompson, 19 not out overnight, departed for 36, with Central still 10 runs short of clinching first innings points.
But Richard Sherlock, 36 not out, and Tim Weston, 23, shared a 30-run partnership for the ninth wicket to pass Otago's first innings score.
Otago was in trouble early in its second innings, at 48 for four in the heath over, as Michael McClenaghan dismissed openers, Craig Cumming for one and Shaun Haig for 27.
Jacob Oram chimed in with the wicket of Neil Broom, for nought, and then Hamish Rutherford was run out after scoring just one run.
But Greg Todd and Nathan McCullum steadied the ship and shared a 71-run stand for the fifth wicket before McCullum was bowled by George Worker for 44, with the score on 119.
Todd and wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder put on 66 runs for the sixth wicket before Thompson finally removed Todd for 74 with a catch to Brad Patton.
De Boorder is undefeated on 43 and Ian Butler is at the wicket with him on 11.
