Nottinghamshire were unable to chase down their victory of 375 as they succumbed to a 54–run defeat on the final day of their LV= County Championship match against Durham at Chester-le-Street.

Beginning the day, needing 178 more and with 6 wickets in hand, they lost the key wicket of Riki Wessels for 90 on their way to being bowled out for 320.20-year old Irishman Peter Chase, on his Durham debut, was the most successful of the bowlers, taking 5-64.

A philosophical Mick Newell knew that the main damage had been done earlier in the contest.

"I’ve always played games to win, so that comes first – but personally I’m satisfied that I’ve been able to contribute with the ball." Gary Keedy

“I think we lost too many wickets to the new ball in both innings,” he said. 

“That really cost us.”

“One or two wickets were given away slightly carelessly this morning but Peter Chase bowled well. We’ve got to take the defeat on the chin – we haven’t been the better team in the game or we would have won.”

Gary Keedy, who claimed second innings figures of 4-86 on his Nottinghamshire debut, also impressed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 15 as he and Chris Read added 35 for the tenth wicket, to threaten an unlikely victory.

“Being on the losing side is not great," said Keedy.

"I’ve always played games to win, so that comes first – but personally I’m satisfied that I’ve been able to contribute with the ball...and who knows what could have happened at the end there?” 

Resuming from their overnight position of 197-4, Wessels and James Franklin eased their way into the morning by blunting the initial threat of Chris Rushworth and John Hastings.

After a 40-minute burst both were replaced and the change bowlers had an immediate effect.

Wessels (90), perhaps deliberately trying to increase the tempo against the debutant Peter Chase, pulled the young seamer out to deep midwicket – but straight into the waiting hands of Gordon Muchall.

The wicket ended a stand of 99 with James Franklin (39), who then departed 10 balls later, trapped lbw by Paul Coughlin.

Chase’s fine morning continued with two wickets in two deliveries, as Ajmal Shahzad (6) was caught by ‘keeper Michael Richardson off a thin inside edge and then Luke Fletcher (0) was sent on his way first ball, to another leg before decision.

At the start of his next over Chase was denied a hat-trick by the forward push from Chris Read.

A brief cameo from Jake Ball delayed the Durham progress. Looking to feed on any width the 23-year old hit four boundaries in a display of great promise, adding 44 with his captain.

With only three deliveries remaining before the second new ball became due Chase struck for the fifth time, having Ball (20) smartly taken by Callum MacLeod at third slip.

The wicket meant that for the second day running the luncheon interval was delayed, with 9 wickets down and it enabled Gary Keedy to score his first runs for Notts.

They extended the period for almost the full thirty minutes but then John Hastings was able to get one through Read’s (47) defences to bring the match to its conclusion and leave Notts nursing their fourth Championship defeat of the season.