Nottinghamshire finished their season with a heavy defeat by Division Two champions Somerset but still managed to do enough to earn promotion in the LV County Championship.
Notts 158
Somerset 469
Notts 190 (Shafayat 57)
Somerset won by an innings and 121 runs
Somerset 22 points, Notts 3 points
Scorecard
The three bowling bonus points proved enough for Notts to finish in second place, ahead of their only possible challengers Middlesex.
Director of Cricket Mick Newell knows the side will have to perform better to compete in Division One but insists the players will be ready for the challenge.
He said: “We played a pretty dreadful game but managed to achieve what we needed.
“The batting was appalling in both innings but I think we have to put the game into context with the rest of the season.
“The players have been very focused when there’s been something to play for and we produced some excellent cricket at the start of the season.
“We’re not making excuses about this result, but all the players know stronger performances will be required next year.”
Notts went into the match needing just one point to secure a return to Division One, but missed out with the bat after winning the toss and being bowled out for just 158.
Mark Wagh made a breezy 41 but no-one got to grips with the swinging conditions, which then came to their aid as they picked up the three wickets required swiftly.
Andre Adams had James Hildreth caught behind by Chris Read to get the vital point in the bag.
Taunton returned to its usual batsmen-friendly conditions on day two, with three Somerset batsmen posting centuries before they were all out for 469.
With Jason Gallian suffering from a back spasm, the 311-run deficit was cut by 98 by openers Will Jefferson and Bilal Shafayat before leg-spinner Michael Munday ripped through the batting line-up.
He finished with a career-best 8-55 as Notts were bundled out before lunch on day three.