The Volts need another 55 runs to get back on an even footing after reaching 32 without loss in their second innings.
Northern Districts resumed its first innings on 53 for two and opener Daniel Flynn top-scored with 92 to help his side post 324.
The innings, though, was teetering at 204 for seven before Daryl Mitchell combined with the tail to add another 120 runs.
‘‘You always hope to finish off the tail but nowadays you see a lot of it [resistance],'' Otago coach Nathan King said.
‘‘Everyone from one to 11 can bat. The ball gets older, the wicket starts to flatten.
‘‘Guys batting eight, nine and ten are more than capable of scoring runs. None of these wickets come easily.
‘‘If we were able to get those last couple of wickets, we would have been looking at a fairly even game.''
‘‘We are slightly behind the eight-ball at the moment. But if we can bat well in the morning and push on, then we can set up a match.''
Northern Districts was under pressure early on yesterday.
Jacob Duffy got a delivery to pop a little and it caught the shoulder of Joe Carter's bat.
Jack Hunter then removed the competition's leading scorer, Bharat Popli, with a cracking delivery which nipped away.
Flynn held up his end and combined in a much-needed 95-run stand for the fifth wicket with Anton Devcich.
Devcich was starting to play with some freedom when he was bounced out by Jimmy Neesham. He got a tickle down leg to the keeper on 49.
Flynn also succumbed to a short ball from the Black Caps all-rounder. Disappointingly, he tried to cut the ball over the slip cordon eight short of a century.
Otago would have felt it was mostly through Northern's batting but valuable partnerships for the eighth and ninth wicket proved painful for the home side.
Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn (32) put on 46 for the eighth wicket. The latter did most of the scoring but Mitchell went on to add another 59 runs with James Baker (28) for the ninth wicket.
He eventually perished for 73 having taken a swipe at a ‘‘leggie'' from offspinner Nathan McCullum. But he had played a major role in building a first innings lead of 87 runs.
Brad Wilson was the shining light for Otago on the opening day.
He showed determination and the short-term memory needed to flourish on what was a lively wicket. He was beaten often enough and offered a couple of chances.
But he also played nice and late to give himself the best prospect of surviving and survive he did, getting through to 97 before he eventually played a bit of a tired shot.
Still, he batted for nearly five hours and gave Otago's innings some substance.
Tony Goodin produced the near perfect delivery to remove Otago's most prolific batsman, Neil Broom. It jagged back from outside off and crashed into the stumps.
He got Craig Smith with a very similar ball and Derek de Boorder can be forgiven for chopping on after he got a brute of a delivery which sprang back, as well.
Otago could have done a lot worse than 237.
Northern Districts did not find the 21 overs it had to face on Saturday easy, either.
Hunter caught opener Dean Brownlie in two minds. The batsman should have come forward but hovered on the crease and nicked a ball which cut away. Brownlie did well to hit it, really.
At Colin Maiden Park, Auckland is 369 for four at stumps on day two and leads Wellington by 195 runs. Robbie O'Donnell shone with a fine innings of 167.
At Saxton Oval in Nelson, Canterbury is in charge at 171 for three at stumps on day two. The visiting side leads Central Districts by 207 runs.
