Nottinghamshire 2nd XI fell agonisingly short of pulling off a stunning final-innings run chase against Somerset at Lady Bay despite Dominic Kelly’s century.

With Notts set 431 to win in their second innings, Kelly amassed 134 and was supported by Travis Holland’s breezy 61, but the hosts were eventually dismissed for 401 to lose by 29 runs.

It was a stirring fightback after JT Langridge’s 5/50 in the Green and Golds’ first innings saw them dismissed for 131, conceding an 82-run first-innings deficit in reply to Somerset’s 213.

Farhan Ahmed claimed 5/46 and Byron Hatton-Lowe returned 4/32, as opener Bertie Michael, who made 60, was the only visiting batter to go beyond 35 in that total.

However, Langridge’s intervention once Notts came to bat, with as Ahmed’s 35 the hosts’ top score, ensured Somerset held the upper hand going into both sides’ second innings.

The West Country outfit, led by Savin Perera’s unbeaten 157 and another 94 for Michael, then proceeded to declare on 348-4, setting Notts their sizeable chase.

Driven by Kelly, who batted at five, they spiritedly gave it a fine go, notably adding 81, 105, and 84 for the sixth, seventh, and eighth wickets respectively.

However, James Theedom’s 4/65 ensured Somerset would edge over the line, with the right-armer ending proceedings by taking the decisive wicket of Kelly.