Samit Patel returned to form with a centuryas Nottinghamshire picked up a draw against Middlesex to maintain theirposition in the second promotion spot in Division Two of the LV CountyChampionship.
Notts 473 (Fleming 110, Wagh 92, Read 61,Franks 46)
Middlesex 472 (Adams 4-127)
Notts 456-7 dec (Patel 112, Wagh 94,Fleming 81, Jefferson 73)
Scorecard
Middlesex 12 points, Notts 11 points
The hosts started the match 40 pointsbehind Notts with a game in hand and needing a win to close the gap.
Notts picked an extra batsman in BilalShafayat to try and guarantee a strong first innings total and the plan workedto perfection as they racked up maximum batting points after winning the toss.
Although both Will Jefferson and JasonGallian fell early on, Mark Wagh and Stephen Fleming maintained their excellentrecent form to add 188 for the third wicket.
Although Wagh fell eight short of ahundred, Fleming went on to make his third century in four matches, while ChrisRead made 61 and Paul Franks a useful 46 coming in at number 10 on the secondmorning.
With the extra batsman picked, Fleming onlyhad four frontline bowlers to call upon but fellow Kiwi Andre Adams stuckmanfully to his task, sending down 43 overs to pick up four wickets asMiddlesex ended one short of the Notts total on day three.
The only disappointment was that Nottsmissed out on the final bowling point, after failing to bowl out the hosts insidethe first 130 overs.
Notts only needed to bat for time in theirsecond innings to deny Middlesex victory and with Jefferson and Wagh bothmaking half-centuries, Middlesex turned to their part-time bowlers with thematch heading for a draw.
Patel helped himself to a century from 147balls while Fleming cracked four sixes and eight fours in 81 from 91 balls beforehanding Andrew Strauss only the second wicket of his career.
The draw leaves Notts on 189.5 points withtwo games to play, while Essex are on 160 points and Middlesex 150.5, who stillhave a game in hand.