Lyndon James praised Nottinghamshire's doggedness on the first day of the Vitality County Championship fixture against Lancashire at Southport.
The seamer took three of the visitors' eight wickets to fall, on a day when Keaton Jennings made an unbeaten 183.
The Green and Golds' capacity ability to work in partnerships through the majority of the day helped maintain the run rate despite the Red Rose opener's score.
James also paid tribute to Dillon Pennington's recent performances and attitude on the day he was awarded his maiden England Test call up.