Toby Pettman and Joey Evison took four wickets each on day three of Nottinghamshire’s Second Eleven Championship fixture against Northamptonshire to leave the home side in the ascendency heading into the final day, 113 runs ahead with six wickets required for victory by an innings.
Evison, on return from injury, ripped through Northants’ middle order in their first innings as the visitors were eventually bowled out for 160, replying to the Green and Golds’ 506 for six declared.
Pettman, meanwhile, took two of Northamptonshire's first-innings wickets on the third day and topped up his tally with two more after their follow-on, to reduce the visitors to 233 for four at close.
With the visitors returning 39 for three overnight, it took Notts the best part of 30 overs to make their next breakthrough, Charlie Thurston (56) caught by Matt Carter off the bowling of Evison with the score on 113.
The hosts then blasted through the remaining six wickets for the concession of 47 runs, Augustus Miller the only other batsman to make a notable contribution with 33.
Asked to bat again, Northants produced their best showing of the match as Ben Curran and Josh Cobb combined to add 106 for the third wicket and close the lead, before the former was bowled by Matt Carter to leave the visitors 167 for three.
Pettman took the final wicket of the day, strangling Miller down the leg side, to leave the clash finely poised with a Northants escape still possible.
You can view the full scorecard, and watch day four live, here...