Ryan Harris took his Test-best figures but Australia were still set a target of 299 to win the fourth Ashes match against England on the fourth day at Chester-le-Street on Monday.
Queensland fast bowler Harris led Australia's attack with seven wickets for 117 runs in 28 overs, taking four for 43 with the new ball on Monday after reducing England to 49 for three on Sunday.
His figures, in his 15th Test, surpassed the 33-year-old's previous innings best at this level of six for 47 against England at Perth in 2010.
But although Ian Bell could only add eight to his overnight 105, England's second innings total of 330 all out was bolstered by Tim Bresnan's dashing 45 and Graeme Swann's quickfire 30 not out, made at better than a run-a-ball.
Australia, who at 2-0 down had already failed to regain the Ashes, were 11 without loss at lunch.
First innings century-maker Chris Rogers as five not out and fellow left-hander David Warner two not out.
By that stage England had already wasted a review when James Anderson, appealing for lbw, challenged a not out decision against Rogers when the ball had pitched outside leg stump.
England resumed Monday on 234 for five, a lead of 202 runs, with Bell 105 not out after completing his 20th Test century and third of the series. None of Bell's 19 previous Test hundreds had been made in a losing cause (13 wins and six draws).
