AS Durham looked like holding out for a draw the possibility emerged that Nottinghamshire could deny Somerset the title by collecting six bonus points on the final day at Old Trafford.

Their headlong pursuit of the five batting points looked like leaving them with around 20 overs to take three Lancashire wickets for one bowling point, in which case they would be level with Somerset and would take the title courtesy of more wins.

After losing two wickets in the last two overs before lunch, when they were 115 ahead on 255 for five, Durham concentrated on survival in an afternoon session shortened to 24 overs by a shower. They added only 32 runs for the loss of Phil Mustard, lbw for 12 to the first ball of a new spell from Alfonso Thomas.

While Dale Benkenstein dug in, having had to wait to come in at No 7 because he had spent a lengthy period off the field, Durham lost two wickets straight after tea.

Scott Borthwick played on against Peter Trego, the ball reaching the stumps with just enough momentum to dislodge a bail, then Liam Plunkett was lbw to a yorker-length ball from Charl Willoughby.