Kraigg Brathwaite's determined century led West Indies to 202 for 2 at the close of the fourth day in the second Test, leaving the hosts with a lead of 37 runs.
There is still plenty of work to do for the hosts to save the Test but England will have taken little heart from a flat batting track that shows no signs of deteriorating.
A draw seems the most likely scenario on the final day, meaning the series would be decided in the third and final Test in Barbados.
With England having established a first innings lead of 165, largely thanks to Joe Root's wonderful unbeaten 182, the pressure was on Brathwaite, especially after the early loss of his partner Devon Smith shortly before lunch.
But the Bajan, well-supported by Darren Bravo (69) and then Marlon Samuels, took a firm grip on proceedings, making the most of a placid surface.
Brathwaite's fourth Test century, his first against England, was a superb display of concentration against some tight, very straight bowling from England.
The second-wicket partnership with Bravo put on 142 and could well have been more costly for England.
The left-handed Bravo looked very well set and will be disappointed he edged a routine off-stump delivery from Stuart Broad through to England keeper Jos Buttler.
Marlon Samuels has had some tetchy moments with the England team during this series but he looked calm and focused as he made 22 from 67 balls before the close.
Earlier, Root was left frustrated when England's last-man James Anderson was run out for two, leaving him 18 short of a double century.
England started the day on 373 for six with Root on 118 but they quickly lost Buttler for 13.
Root took the attack to the West Indies bowlers, producing some fine aggressive strokes, but he eventually ran out of partners.
The first Test in the three-match series was drawn.
Scorecard
West Indies (1st innings): 299 (M. Samuels 103; S. Broad 4-61)
England (1st innings): (overnight: 373-6)
A. Cook b Gabriel 76
J. Trott c Blackwood b Bishoo 59
G. Ballance b Samuels 77
I. Bell b Gabriel 1
J. Root not out 182
M. Ali run out (Blackwood, Ramdin) 0
B. Stokes c Blackwood b Bishoo 8
J. Buttler st Ramdin b Bishoo 13
C. Jordan run out (Holder, Ramdin) 16
S. Broad c De. Smith b Bishoo 0
J. Anderson run out (Gabriel, Holder) 2
Extras: (b-9, lb-2, nb-18, w-1) 30
Total: (all out, 144.1 overs) 464
Fall of wickets: 1-125, 2-159, 3-164, 4-329, 5-335, 6-364, 7-387, 8-426, 9-431, 10-464
Bowling: K. Roach 28-4-100-0(nb-5), S. Gabriel 22-3-67-2(nb-6 w-1), J. Holder 21.1-6-57-0(nb-1), D. Bishoo 51-10-177-4(nb-2), M. Samuels 21-4-38-1, J. Blackwood 1-0-14-0.
West Indies (2nd innings):
K. Brathwaite not out 101
De. Smith b Anderson 2
Da. Bravo c Buttler b Broad 69
M. Samuels not out 22
Extras: (b-6, lb-1, nb-1) 8
Total: (for 2 wickets, 75 overs) 202
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-145.
To bat: S. Chanderpaul, J. Blackwood, D. Ramdin, K. Roach, J. Holder, S. Gabriel, D. Bishoo.
Bowling: J. Anderson 14-4-27-1, S. Broad 10-2-23-1, M. Ali 17-4-48-0, C. Jordan 13-4-41-0(nb-1), B. Stokes 8-0-34-0, J. Root 13-6-22-0.
