Derbyshire took four wickets and Nottinghamshire added 246 runs to leave the Specsavers County Championship match finely poised at Trent Bridge after a rain-affected Day Three.
Jeevan Mendis took three wickets and there was one for Conor McKerr as Nottinghamshire closed on 313-6, with a lead of 179 going into the final day.
Daryn Smit said: “All three results are still a possibility, so I guess that’s what you’d prefer going into the last day.
“It’s a nice position to be in. I think we are the happier changing room but that counts for nothing unless we pitch up tomorrow and compete like we have done over the first three days.”
Steven Mullaney and Samit Patel consolodated for the hosts in the first session of the day, adding 105 to the overnight score before Mendis got the breakthrough after lunch, Mullaney (62) caught in the deep by the diving Tom Taylor.
Three overs later McKerr struck, the Surrey loanee removing Patel lbw for 82, with the score on 185-4. Mendis then had new batsman Michael Lumb caught at short leg for 21, Alex Hughes showing great reactions to cling onto the catch.
The players broke for an early tea interval and were off for an hour as rain halted the Derbyshire bowling attack.
With play resuming at 4.30pm, Riki Wessels looked to score quickly before he was bowled by Mendis for 46, the score moving onto 291-6.
Bad light, followed by a further rain shower, brought an end to the day’s play with 22 overs still to bowl. Nottinghamshire will resume on 313-6 with a lead of 179, Chris Read unbeaten on 46 and Brett Hutton down the other end on six not out.
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