England's cautious approach to the fourth npower Test cost them the chance to establish a strong advantage over South Africa at Headingley.
Having finally dismissed the tourists for 342 shortly before lunch on the second day, England were on target to quickly overhaul that total with Marcus Trescothick and Mark Butcher forging an encouraging partnership after tea.
But after hammering 54 in only 9.4 overs after that interval, including 36 in only six overs, they elected to take the umpires' offer of bad light and lost their momentum.
From a promising 164 for one with most of the final session remaining, England slipped to 197 for three when a second offer of bad light ended the second day with 16 overs still remaining.
Their unadventurous approach prompted a chorus of boos from the 15,000 crowd and, with three more days remaining, could cost them.
It seemed inconceivable that England would accept the offer of bad light from umpires Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel at around 4.30pm such was their dominance over a South African attack missing all-rounder Shaun Pollock and fast bowler Monde Zondeki.
They had plundered six boundaries in the 45 minutes play after the interval and almost effortlessly overcame the early loss of captain Michael Vaughan in the eighth over of their reply.
But no sooner had they resumed after a 30-minute delay for the light, which did not seem to have improved when they returned, the partnership was broken while another wicket fell six overs later.