Notts will need just one more wicket to wrap up the Hampshire innings after the first day's play of their crucial County Championship clash ended early.

The visitors stood on 199-9 when bad light brought the players off at 5pm with nine scheduled overs left.

It was a disappointing end to a decent session for Notts who had soon made inroads after the tea interval, which saw Hampshire resume on 143-6.

Long-time mainstay Nic Pothas (44) became Darren Pattinson's third victim of the day when he dragged on a widish ball attempting to drive.

Notts took the new ball as soon as it was available in the 80th over and it took Charlie Shreck just four balls to break through as he induced a leading edge from Chris Tremlett (4) and took a simple return catch.

In the Cornishman's next over he struck again to make it 177-9, getting rid of the dangerous Dmitri Mascarenhas (41).

After being struck for two fours, Shreck came back well to deceive the batsman, who lofted a catch to Will Jefferson at cover.

The home side's hopes of polishing things off quickly were hit when they had to put on their spinners because of the deteriorating light.

Imran Tahir (23 not out) took full advantage by striking some lusty blows. But Notts will hope to end things after too much longer in the morning.

Earlier in the day, Hampshire had started bright after being put in and the opening partnership of Michael Carberry (23) and Michael Brown (29) put on 46.

But Mark Ealham made the initial breakthrough as he got Brown (29) to chase one that moved away slightly and Chris Read, standing up, took a smart catch.

With the score on 53, Andre Adams got in on the act, trapping Michael Lumb (3) lbw as he failed to play a shot as the bowler went round the wicket.

Adams again did the job as he nipped the ball back to pin Chris Benham (9) on the crease and win an lbw decision.

Carberry was next to go with the score on 74 as he nicked Shreck, returning for a second spell, into the hands of Read, who took the ball well in front of first slip Graeme Swann.

Sean Ervine and Nic Pothas saw Hampshire through to lunch but soon afterwards, the Zimbabwean pulled a ball from Pattinson that did not get up straight onto his stumps.

Two balls later, teenager Liam Dawson was trapped lbw for a duck and the visitors were in real trouble at 96-6.

But Pothas played a classy innings to put on a valuable 55 for the seventh wicket with Mascarenhas to boost their side's chances.