England were in danger of defeat despite a fighting innings by captain Michael Vaughan on the second day of their three-day match against South Africa A at Sedgars Park on Sunday.

England finished the day on 154 for seven in their second innings, an overall lead of 98, with Vaughan unbeaten on 82.

After trailing by 56 on the first innings, they lost their first three second-innings wickets for three runs and were later 64 for five.

Vaughan and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones shared a stand of 45 to avoid total embarrassment for the tourists -- but they will go into the first Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth Friday with concern over the form of some of their leading batsmen.

Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe and Andrew Flintoff all failed for the second time in the match, while Andrew Strauss, who top-scored with 50 in the first innings, was out for nought.

On the credit side, England's bowlers did well in hot weather to prevent South Africa A from taking a bigger lead. Starting the day on 133 for two, the home side were bowled out for 281, losing their last five wickets for 20 runs.

Flintoff dismissed three of South Africa A's top five batsmen to finish with three for 50, while Simon Jones ran through the tail, taking three for 49.

Flintoff gained impressive pace and bounce. He caught home captain Ashwell Prince off his own bowling, then had top-scorer Martin van Jaarsveld caught at short leg for 71 before Jean-Paul Duminy was bowled off an inside edge.

Axed South African Test wicketkeeper Mark Boucher made a dogged unbeaten 26 off 74 balls and left-handed Albie Morkel slammed 47 off 48 balls.

England made a disastrous start when Trescothick was trapped leg before by left-arm swing bowler Charl Willoughby in the first over and Strauss was caught at short leg off Ethy Mbhalati in the second over.

Butcher, who missed the four-Test series against the West Indies because of injury, failed for the third time in as many innings on tour when he was out for a 10-ball duck, another Willoughby lbw victim.

Willoughby struck again when he bowled Thorpe for 11. Flintoff slammed five fours as he made 21 off 21 balls before he was bowled by Morkel.