Lyndon James and Ben Slater led Nottinghamshire to a hard-fought draw on the final day of the opening LV= Insurance County Championship fixture versus Durham at Trent Bridge.
After centuries from David Bedingham and Ned Eckersley allowed the visitors to open up a 395-run lead, Durham declared overnight to leave the Green and Golds 96 overs to bat for the draw.
Slater (71), Steven Mullaney (69) and James (79*), in just his third First-Class match, all produced patient knocks, with Nottinghamshire reaching 298-5 before the two sides shook hands and took 13 points apiece from the fixture.
Durham’s overnight declaration at 332-4, following the county record fifth-wicket partnership between centurions David Bedingham and Ned Eckersley, challenged Nottinghamshire to score 396 to win, or bat out 96 overs for the draw.
Two quick wickets for Chris Rushworth gave Durham the start they wanted at the beginning of the day as Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett fell to the opening bowler.
But Slater and Joe Clarke added 67 for the third wicket before the latter, who had looked in good order in making 38, nicked to slip in the last over before lunch.
Academy graduate James showed he had backbone as well as potential, turning a maiden fifty into a fine unbeaten 79 in only his third first-class match
Indeed, James survived his senior partner, who was the next out, leg before as he swivelled to pull Scott Borthwick’s leg spin.
After a sleet shower had forced the players off for an early tea, taking four overs out of the schedule, James reached his half-century from 106 balls with six fours.
The right hander shared a 124-run partnership with skipper Mullaney, who pulled Matt Salisbury for a third six before falling shortly after, bowled for 69.
Tom Moores, who scored an unbeaten 96 in the first innings, joined James to see off the threat of the new ball as the teams agreed to share the spoils with eight and a half overs remaining of the schedule.