WICKETS always looked likely following morning rain at Chester-le-Street and after much playing and missing in the first 50 minutes Durham lost three wickets in nine balls on 110.

Phil Mustard briefly threatened a counter-attack before Brett Hutton swung one through the left-hander's airy drive to have him lbw and claim his third wicket.

Paul Collingwood needed all his experience to survive some brisk in-swing from left-armer Luke Wood, helped by the strong breese.

The home captain was still there on 14 at lunch, when Durham were 154 for seven, 91 behind Nottinghamshire.

Durham had also lost three wickets quickly the previous evening, slipping from 65 without loss to close on 69 for three. But with the ball refusing to find the edge they seemed to be recovering nicely through Michael Richardson and Scott Borthwick.

Both departed for 18, Richardson pinned in front by a skidder from Vernon Philander before Borthwick sliced a drive to backward point off Wood.

Calum MacLeod looked fortunate to survive a first-ball lbw appeal from Wood before a flat-footed dab at the next ball he faced, from Philander, saw him edge to Chris Read.