NOTTS suffered a frustrating third morning in their County Championship clash with Hampshire that will decide the title.

In a game Mick Newell's men need to win to claim top spot, Hampshire advanced slowly but surely to 140-2 at lunch in their second innings in a session shortened by four overs because of early morning fog.

That put the visitors 132 runs in front having scored 203 in their first innings to Notts' 211.

The home side were desperate for a rush of early wickets but it did not come as a tired Darren Pattinson was not even used.

Andre Adams looked the most likely as he went past the edge a number of times without any luck.

But the New Zealander was eventually rewarded as he ended the second wicket partnership at 58 when trapping left-hander Michael Lumb lbw from around the wicket.

However, that was to be the only success of the morning for Notts. The closest they came was when Chris Benham edged Charlie Shreck to Chris Read who, diving full stretch, could get a glove to the ball but no more.

Just 38 runs were scored in the session but Michael Brown was still going well at the end of it poised for a century on 76 not out.

Elsewhere, Durham are going well in their match with Kent at Canterbury and will be confident of securing the victory that will see them overhaul Notts, should they fail to triumph.