England, with a century from wicketkeeper Matt Prior, have survived in a climactic finish to salvage a draw in the third and final cricket Test against New Zealand.

The Black Caps, having set a target of 481, were left just one wicket short of a rare series triumph over England as the tourists ended on 9-315.

The result meant all three Tests ended drawn.

England started Tuesday on 4-90.

They appeared to be ending it by batting their way safely to a draw when on 7-304 with just under four overs to go.

But part-time spinner Kane Williamson, who made a double breakthrough late on the previous day, did the same again.

He removed the resolute Stuart Broad for six, having him caught at first slip by Ross Taylor.

Two balls later, he had new batsman James Anderson out for a duck in identical fashion to leave England at 9-304.

But Prior and Monty Panesar survived the final 3.1 overs to complete the salvage job.

Williamson finished with career-best figures of 4-44.

There were full-hearted efforts from New Zealand’s seamers on a pitch that remained largely intact.

Neil Wagner took 2-61 and Tim Southee 2-77, while Trent Boult, who often beat the bat, had 1-55.

Prior spearheaded England’s resistance with 110 not out, his seventh Test century.

He showed a willingness to play his shots, but also had some anxious moments.

On 16, he was given out lbw to Southee, but called for a review and the replay showed a faint edge.

He then had a lucky escape on 28 when a short ball from Wagner rebounded from his bat handle to his grill and onto the stumps, but the bails stayed put.

As the overs ticked down, Prior received resolute support from Broad, who faced 61 balls before getting off the mark.

Before squeezing the ball down to third man for two, Broad had spent 102 minutes at the crease.

That beat by one minute New Zealander Geoff Allott’s Test record for longest time on nought, although Allott retains the mark for most balls without scoring with 77.

At one stage, Broad had eight close fielders around him.

He, too, had a successful appeal against dismissal, after being left sprawling by a Boult yorker while on 0.

Given out lbw, he immediately called for a review while on his knees and the replay showed an inside edge.

Having lost control of his bat and the handle poking him in the throat, he needed some treatment before continuing.

New Zealand had gone into the final session needing three wickets after Wagner claimed the prized scalp of Ian Bell in the final over before tea for 75.

Bell put on a 78-run stand with Prior but, more importantly, occupied the crease for almost six hours.

Earlier on Tuesday, a sedate opening session burst into life when the Black Caps took the second new ball three overs from lunch.

Boult had success with the very first delivery, trapping Joe Root lbw for 29 but, in his next over, had two other chances go down.