Matthew Montgomery set out stall with a well-paced half-century to put Notts in the ascendency on day three at Emirates Riverside after a bowling masterclass from Zak Chappell and Joey Evison tore through Durham.
Only 9.3 overs were possible through the first two days, but the seamers set to task when they were able, taking four wickets apiece to restrict the hosts to 128 all out
In reply, Montgomery crashed eight fours in his unbeaten 58, leaving the visitors in the ascendency at 101 for one, albeit with little time left in the game.
It took Notts just four overs to add to the wickets column after Durham resumed on 27 for two, Chappell claiming his third from an inswinger which trapped Sean Dickson in front.
Former Green and Gold Paul Coughlin was the next man in, but couldn’t force a score against his old side, pinned leg before trying to turn a Peter Trego delivery to the leg side for 6, before Alex Thompson (3) went an over later, the victim of a sharp delivery from Chappell which jagged through bat and pad to hammer the stumps.
Jonathan Bushnell (28) and Liam Trevaskis provided some resistance for Durham, adding 28 for the sixth wicket, before Evison found the edge of the former and the ball found solace in the left hand of Ben Compton at second slip after rebounding off Sol Budinger with the score on 60.
Evison struck three more times to confine the home side, first inducing a thin edge from Trevaskis (29) through to Dane Shadendorf, then striking the front pad of Tom Mackintosh (0) with his next ball, before clean bowling Matt Salisbury (6) for his fourth wicket.
Tom Barber wrapped up the innings by flattening Oliver Gibson’s off stump for none, ending a successful day in the field for the visitors.
Openers Montgomery and Ben Compton set about positively in response, taking 15 from the opening two overs to set the tone. When Compton was caught by wicketkeeper Mackintosh off the bowling of Salisbury for an enterprising 24 which included 4 fours, Notts were on 74.
No more damage was done in the remaining seven overs, man of the moment Evison partnering Montgomery as the pair rotating well to leave Nottinghamshire neatly positioned ahead of day four.