Karnataka, replying to Maharashtra's modest first innings tally of 276, made steady progress before finishing 37 runs behind the home team's score on the second day of the Elite Division Group A Ranji Trophy match in Ratnagiri on Wednesday.
At stumps, the visitors were 239 for five wickets, with Thilak Naidu (25) and Yere Gaud (4) at the crease after commencing at the overnight 2 for no loss.
Karnataka lost two quick wickets in the morning when opener Robin Uthappa (15) and D T Patil (7) succumbed to the medium-paced bowling of Wahid Sayyed and Samad Fallah respectively.
However, K Pawan's determined knock of 102 and his stand of 156 for the fourth wicket with C Raghu (67) steadied the ship and resurrected the floundering innings.
Opener Pawan spent nearly six hours at the crease, striking 12 fours, while Raghu hit ten fours before he was dismissed by left arm spinner Ajinkya Joshi.
Raghu's wicket triggered a mini-collapse as Amit Verma was trapped leg before by Maharashtra captain Venugopal Rao and five overs later Pawan was bowled by Joshi to leave the visitors struggling at 212 for 5.
Naidu and Gaud prevented further damage till close.
For Maharashtra, Joshi grabbed 2 for 52 while pacers Fallah, Sayyed and Rao claimed a wicket apiece.
Scorecard:
Maharashtra (1st innings): 276 all out
Karnataka (1st innings, overnight 2 for no loss):
R Uthappa c Takawale b Sayyed 15
K Pawan b Joshi 102
D Patil c Mohan b Fallah 7
C Raghu c Mohan b Joshi 67
A Verma lbw b Rao 1
VST Naidu batting 25
Y Goud batting 4
Extras: (b 5, lb 1,w 7, nb 5) 18
Total: (for 5 wickets in 91 overs) 239
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-38, 3-194, 4-208, 5-212
Bowling: S Fallah 20-4-56-1, A Dole 17-2-57-0, W Sayyed 15-3-34-1, H Khadiwale 9-1-20-0, A Joshi 23-6-52-2, D Mohan 2-0-5-0, Venugopal Rao 5-2-9-1
