Hameed ton as Lancs look set for a draw

Resuming their second innings on 128 without loss, still 70 runs behind, the visitors were largely untroubled in reaching lunch on 206 for one.

Haseeb Hameed, the Red Rose’s talented 19-year old opener, has enhanced his blossoming reputation even further by reaching his second hundred of the season, getting there in the final over of the session from 237 balls, with 15 fours.

Nottinghamshire’s only realistic hope of forcing a win would have been through early wickets from Stuart Broad or Imran Tahir but both were resisted, although only seven runs came from the first nine overs.

On a benign surface, that has offered little assistance to the quicks, Notts wicketkeeper Riki Wessels even stood up to Broad during the second part of his spell.

The only wicket to go down during the session was that of Tom Smith, who bettered his first innings 70 by one run, before nicking Harry Gurney low to Steven Mullaney at second slip.

Notts have bowled 80 overs, so a second new ball is available at the start of the afternoon session but Lancashire are already eight runs ahead and have nine wickets remaining.