Phil Mustard and Scott Borthwick frustrated Nottinghamshire with an unbroken partnership of 153 as Durham recovered from 76-4 to close on 341-6.

Notts had made an excellent start in dismissing Michael Di Venuto in the first over. The Durham opener was dropped at slip off the previous ball before he was trapped lbw by Ryan Sidebottom.

Andre Adams returned 3-80 and was Nottinghamshire’s most potent threat although Mick Newell felt that his seam attack lost control in the evening session.

“We had a poor last session and there were far too many four-balls bowled which was very disappointing,” said Newell.

“We didn’t bowl with much control which is in contrast to the consistency that our seam bowlers have shown throughout the season.”

Stoneman (67) and Blackwell (59) made half centuries before falling to Adams to signal the start of Durham’s recovery whilst Fletcher saw Muchall caught at gully by Samit Patel for 13.

Paul Franks had Ben Harmison caught behind whilst Samit Patel’s economy went unrewarded.

Mustard (113) and Borthwick (54) will resume on day two having already underlined Durham’s determination to have an influence on the destination of their LV= County Championship crown.