Cumbrian youngsters Liam Trevaskis and Stan McAlindon made sure Durham scrambled a draw in their County Championship game with Derbyshire at the Riverside.
The pair came together with Durham 199-7, well short of a winning reply and battling for a draw after holding a narrow first innings lead of 13.
Trevaskis, 23, ex-Penrith and McAlindon, 18, formerly Carlisle, stayed together for nine overs until Derbyshire gave-up in the 84th and final over.
It had been a resilient knock from Trevaskis, a left arm spinner, who was not out 19 after facing 114 deliveries while McAlindon was 18 not out from 27 balls.
Trevaskis had shared an important seventh wicket stand of 49 with wicket-keeper Tom Mackintosh, who was also making his debut.
It ended an eventful debut for McAlindon who had also shown ability with the bat in the first innings, helping Durham take their narrow lead with an unbeaten 26.
He was in as a pace bowler, though, and he will remember that first chance in the Championship when he took 2-63, grabbing both wickets with successive bowls to end the Derbyshire innings.
Durham coach James Franklin, speaking about debutants McAlindon and Mackintosh said: “For two young guys to go out there and soak up the pressure showed great character and is promising for their futures.”
