Will Jefferson and Matt Wood shared a commanding opening partnership of 84 as Notts Outlaws moved level on points with Leicestershire Foxes at the top of the Midlands Group with a two wicket win.
The stand ended when Wood edged to wicket keeper Paul Nixon having hit nine fours to reach his 50 but the contribution pleased the Notts coaching team who had asked for more from their top order.
Adam Voges hit Dillon Du Preez for six to bring up a 50 partnership with Mark Wagh but a middle order wobble saw Patel (13), Read (0) and Wagh (37) dismissed in quick succession before Luke Fletcher scored the winning run off the final ball.
Darren Pattinson's dismissal, bowled after swinging and missing in search of a winning four, set up a tense finish with Notts on 194-8.
Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson enjoyed early success, seeing Ackerman and New caught behind by Chris Read to leave the visitors on 27-2.
Luke Fletcher began his spell with a two maiden overs and Will Jefferson went agonisingly close to catching Nixon off Charlie Shreck but the ball slipped through his left hand at full stretch.
Shreck bowled Allenby for 10 but Samit Patel was perhaps the happiest of the Notts bowlers, enthusiastically celebrating his hauls of 3-34 which included the dismissal of Nixon who had kept the seam attack at bay to make 75.
Pattinson saw off the Foxes tail, bowling Malik for two before trapping Kruger lbw leaving the visitors all out for 197.