Derbyshire were bowled out for 392 in the morning session, giving Nottinghamshire a first-innings lead of one run, but the rain came after lunch before either side could make a decisive move. Almost three hours play was lost, but the visiting side took three quick wickets once it did resume late in the day.

Paul Johnson and Kevin Pietersen added an unbeaten 25 to ease Nottinghamshire to 75 for three at the close of play, but either side would likely have to perform last-day heroics to achieve a positive result.

Resuming on 298 for five, Derbyshire were looking to overhaul Nottinghamshire's first-innings total of 393. They failed to make it, primarily because of the early success enjoyed by paceman Nadeem Malik. Wicketkeeper Karl Krikken had added just three to his overnight total of 11 when Malik moved one away from the right-hander, taking the edge on the way through to Chris Read behind the stumps.

Malik then produced a carbon-copy delivery in his next over, Graeme Welch nicking one to Read to depart for a duck. Mohammad Ali had made just four when Malik hurried one through to take the edge, but former England batsman Usman Afzaal put the testing chance down at second slip. Afzaal was made to regret that missed opportunity as Ali went on to plunder 43.

He was quick to pick up on anything dropped too short, ever-willing to ease onto the back foot and flick the ball around the outfield. Inevitably he took risks though, and Richard Logan tempted him into a rash drive that offered Read a routine catch. Ali had put on 63 with Chris Bassano for the eighth wicket - the latter moving onto 64 before being bowled by Andrew Harris off an inside-edge.

Derbyshire were eventually dismissed minutes before the lunch break, as Kevin Dean was bowled by Nicky Boje for 16.

Nottinghamshire's openers had scored 12 when the heavens opened, and at one stage it had looked like any more play was extremely unlikely. But when play did eventually resume it was Derbyshire who took full advantage.

Darren Bicknell pulled Ali through mid-on for four, but he gloved one from Dominic Cork to Krikken behind the stumps to fall for 24. Fellow opener Jason Gallian fell to Cork in his next over, edging to Stephen Stubbings at fourth slip as the former England man set an aggressive field.

The Derbyshire captain was celebrating again three overs later, making no mistake at first slip to dismiss Afzaal for two. Ali was the bowler on that occasion and he finished with figures of one for 30.

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