Fergus O’Neill’s best match figures for Nottinghamshire were unable to help the dominant visitors force a win on day four against Hampshire at Utilita Bowl.

O’Neill returned 8/86 from 42 overs across the game, but Notts were held to a draw as the hosts, led by centurion Jake Lehmann, batted out the day to end on 207-6, ahead by 192.

It was an unfortunate outcome for the visitors, who had retained control of the contest for most of the first three days and came into the final day with more than a sniff of victory.

Despite the weather proving itself the only winner, with over 130 overs across the four days lost to rain, Notts’ 11-point haul from the contest is enough to retain top spot in Division One.

With Hampshire resuming the day on 82-4, leading by 67, the Green and Golds found early joy when O’Neill claimed his eighth of the game.

Home captain Ben Brown was the man to fall victim, edging a comfortable catch to Liam Patterson-White at first slip for eight, and at 90-5, the contest remained very much alive.

However, a partnership of 65 between Lehmann, who ended the day unbeaten on 102, and South African overseas Delano Potgieter, slowed the momentum and all but secured the draw.

A further band of passing rain between 11:35am and 2:00pm did little to help Notts’ cause either, as the contest began to peter out towards a natural conclusion.

Patterson-White removed a slog-sweeping Potgieter via a diving Jack Haynes catch for 18 shortly before tea.

However, Lehmann and Felix Organ took the game to its end before the draw was agreed shortly before 4:50pm.