Joe Root, Dawid Malan and England’s lower order combined to leave New Zealand needing to complete a record run chase for them of 382 if they are to claim a 2-0 series victory.
Resuming on 202-3, the two established batsmen put together a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket during an attritional morning session.
Root eventually fell to Neil Wagner for 54, while Malan followed to Colin de Grandhomme (4-94) for 53, but, after Ben Stokes fell for 12, the lower order and tail wagged.
After his first innings century, Jonny Bairstow made 36 in upping the tempo as Stuart Broad (12), Mark Wood (9) and Jack Leach (14 not out) all made brief but useful contributions, with England declaring on 352-9.
The tourists would have hoped to make early inroads when New Zealand began their second innings, but the Kiwis held firm before play ended early because of bad light.
They made it to 42-0 from 23 overs, with Tom Latham on 25 not out and Jeet Raval on 17 not out leaving them requiring a further 340, or England needing to take 10 wickets, to win on the final day.
*************
You can watch every ball of Notts' scheduled home matches in 2018 - in all three formats of the game including Vitality Blast - by joining our family as a Member. Adult prices start from £38 and you can become a Member by clicking here.