England trail Sri Lanka by 121 runs on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
However, the tourists have nine first-innings wickets in hand as they prepare to surpass Sri Lanka's total on day three.
The home side resumed on 238-6 at the start of play and they went on to add just 37 runs to their total.
Spin-bowler Graeme Swann claimed three wickets as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 275.
England began their innings positively as openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook both reached 50 runs.
Skipper Strauss only managed to add 11 further runs to his total before he was caught by Prasanna Jayawardene off the bowling of Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Jonathan Trott came to the crease and ended the day with 15 runs, while Cook will resume on 77 not out with the away side on a score of 154-1.
England must win the match to avoid losing their ranking as the world's number one Test team.
