Two dropped slips catches from consecutive deliveries in the second last over of play has let Tasmania off the hook against NSW at Blundstone Arena on Monday.
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The Tigers reached stumps at 0-24 in response to the Blues' total of 7-341 declared, but it could have been far worse for the home side.
Steve Smith dropped both Tasmanian openers after falling two runs short of a century during the NSW innings and must be rueing his luck tonight.
Earlier in the day, Blues' veteran Simon Katich was unable to return to the field during the third session of play after taking a blow to the face from Tasmanian paceman Luke Butterworth.
But despite the 36-year-old left-hander's absence, the Blues will be pleased with their efforts after excellent contributions from Smith (98) and Ben Rohrer (83) underlined their total before Stephen O'Keefe declared with 30 minutes remaining in the day.
Katich had blasted his way to 46 before top-edging an attempted pull shot into the brow above his left eye midway through the second session and was taken to hospital for scans that revealed no fracture despite the presence of a large haematoma and mild concussion.
A 122-run partnership between he and Smith had steadied the ship for the Blues after they lost Phil Hughes (1) and Usman Khawaja (21) during the first hour of play and really put the visitors into the ascendancy on the first day at Blundstone Arena.
But the situation could have been far more in the home team’s favour had the Tigers taken their chances on a clumsy day in the field.
A couple of edges fell short of the slips cordon early on, but two dropped catches in the 10 minutes after tea may prove most costly to the home side.
Rohrer was on 30 when grassed by Alex Doolan in the gully from the first ball after the break and received another life the next over when Ed Cowan spilled a regulation chance at square-leg.
But catches began to stick as play entered the final hour with Jackson Bird snaring Steven O’Keefe (12) and Rohrer in the deep and Steve Cazzulino diving full length to grab an edge from Scott Coyte (9) at short-leg.
Bird (2-56), Butterworth (2-55) and Jason Krejza (2-53) were the multiple wicket takers for Tasmania on a day where the home attack struggled for any real consistency after a tight opening spell from Butterworth and James Faulkner (1-87).
Batting looked to become easier as the day progressed and tail-enders Sean Abbott (19 not out) and Trent Copeland (15 not out) opened their shoulders late in the day before O'Keefe called them in so his bowlers could attack during a tense 20-minute period before the close of play.
Ed Cowan (10) and Steve Cazzulino (9) will resume on Day 2 with Tasmania still 317 runs behind NSW and with plenty of work to do to claim first innings points.
