Peter Trego and Ben Compton scored half-centuries before Nottinghamshire took pivotal late wickets on a rain hampered day three against Derbyshire at The Incora County Ground.

Three wickets for no runs in the closing overs of the day crowned a terrific day for the visitors, who amassed a 103-run lead, in large thanks to a 90-run partnership between Trego and Compton, and a Brett Hutton cameo.  

The sides had to wait until 13:10 for play to begin, with 80 overs scheduled. 

Resuming the innings on 35 for none, Matthew Montgomery (28) was only able to last four overs before chopping Geroge Scrimshaw onto the stumps attempting to punch off the back foot. 

It brought Joey Evison to the crease and, with Ben Compton, Notts continued to bat in confident fashion, both players punishing the loose ball in an effort to reduce the deficit. 

Their partnership was cut short, though, when Evison (23) drove at a wide Ben Aitchison delivery, edging through to Mattie McKiernan at third slip to leave the visitors 91 for two.

Derbyshire were celebrating again five overs later, Sol Budinger unable to continue his scintillating form. 

Peter Trego offered his experience to prevent any semblance of a collapse. Compton looked in good touch as he tucked to the leg side to bring up his half century, and the pair accumulated steadily to see the Green and Golds through to tea at 137 for three. 

After the interval, both continued to accelerate and Trego brought up his own half-century with an expansive drive through the covers for fours, a hallmark of Notts’ positive intent. 

An over later he was gone, though. After hitting consecutive fours off leg-spinner McKiernan, the captain looked to go aerial but couldn’t clear Anuj Dal at wide mid-on, dismissed for an industrious 60 from 74 balls. 

Compton went an over later, feathering a top edge through to Caton for 67 to give Aitchison his third and leave Nottinghamshire 199 for five.

Dane Schadendorf and the returning Brett Hutton made hay at the crease as Notts passed Derbyshire’s total, adding 41 before the former was caught by Scrimshaw at mid-off, off the bowling of McKiernan.

Another wicket then fell two balls later, Zak Chappell edging to Aitchison who caught well down to his left at first slip. 

With 29 overs still left in the day, Hutton and new man Calvin Harrison had ample time to add to the score. Both were watchful but pounced on width to extend the lead. 

Harrison was finally dismissed with 13.2 overs left, the right hander miscuing a pull shot to Tom Wood at mid-off for 29, and Hutton (43) fell soon after when his slog sweep could only find the hands of Nick Potts, prompting a declaration which left Notts three overs to bowl.

The decision could scarcely have turned out better for the Green and Golds when Chappell, in the opening over, claimed scalps with his fifth and sixth balls, James Newby and Chris Benjamin both skittled without scoring.

Trego added to the delight in the next over when he trapped Tom Wood in front to leave the hosts reeling with no runs for the loss of three wickets, and a second Chappell maiden left the home side a hill to climb on an intriguing final day.