England spinner Moeen Ali celebrates taking a wicket

Australia 263 (Marsh 118, Wood 5-34) and 116 for 4 (Khawaja 43, Moeen 2-34) lead England 237 (Stokes 80, Cummins 6-91) by 142 runs

Leeds: Ben Stokes provided yet more heroics and his bowlers crucial late wickets as England desperately battled to keep their Ashes hopes alive on day two of the third Test at Headingley.

In an innings reminiscent of his famous knock on the same ground four years ago, Stokes' 80 dragged his side from 142-7 to 237 all out before Australia slipped to 116-4, 142 ahead, at the close.

Stokes' knock meant the tourists' first-innings lead was just 26, despite four wickets falling in the morning session - including Joe Root with the second ball of the day to Pat Cummins, who claimed 6-91.

The England captain attacked after lunch, launching five sixes and six fours, while Mark Wood helped swing the momentum with 24 from eight balls.

In reply, despite the loss of David Warner for one, the opener again caught off Stuart Broad, Australia eased to 68-1 and a lead of 94 as they threatened to take a firm grip on an enthralling Test.

But Moeen Ali removed Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in successive overs before Chris Woakes dismissed Usman Khawaja in the final hour for 43.

Travis Head and first-innings centurion Mitchell Marsh survived the final 45 minutes to leave the Test, in which a win would seal the series for Australia, finely poised.

Stokes arrived at the crease when Root got a ball from Cummins that bounced, took the edge and was snaffled by Warner at first slip.

Within the first half hour, Bairstow edged a full ball to Smith from Mitchell Starc when attempting a slashing drive.

Stokes was patient in the morning session, sharing watchful partnership of 44 until Moeen fell into the short-ball trap and was caught at fine leg for 19.

The England captain watched from the non-striker's end as Woakes was hit on the head by a Starc bouncer, responded by a clubbing another for six but was then inevitably caught behind on the pull via a thin edge.

Wood was the unlikely instigator of England's counter-attack. He smacked Starc for six first ball and cleared the rope twice more in eight balls before Stokes flicked the switch.

Again he hogged the strike to put on 32 with number 10 Broad and 38 with last man Robinson as he smashed Ashes debutant Todd Murphy for five sixes, including one huge straight hit into the top tier.

Stokes offered two tough chances in successive balls while on 45 - Starc spilling a running catch from long-off and spinner Murphy a caught and bowled - but was finally dismissed after slicing another heave into the hands of Smith at long-on.