DURHAM had to wait until 12 minutes before lunch to take a wicket this morning and on 262 for five Nottinghamshire were 94 ahead.

After coming together with eight overs left yesterday, Riki Wessels and Samit Patel put on 153 before Wessels edged Barry McCarthy to Paul Collingwood at slip.

One bad session has seen Durham squander their advantage, but it could have been much different had David Millns upheld either of two good lbw shouts by Ryan Pringle in the day's first three overs.

It was a gamble to open up with the off-spinner and although he found some turn he bowled several poor balls, allowing the batsmen to get underway.

Graham Onions' radar was off beam at the other end, but he should have had Patel on 33 when Michael Richardson capped an untidy morning by spilling the chance.

Chris Rushworth's zip has deserted him at the end of his superb season and when Pringle returned for a second spell Wessels treated him with disdain.

A six over mid-wicket was followed by a four paddled to long leg and a reverse sweep for another boundary.

Having started quietly, with Patel dominating, Wessels went from 27 to 75 in 38 balls, which included 11 in an over off Onions.

Patel went to his 50 off 87 balls with his eighth four, driven through extra cover off Jamie Harrison.

Pringle's 11 overs cost 63 runs, but Scott Borthwick wasn't used.