A lengthy delay because of low sun saw Derbyshire lose momentum and sink to a 56-run defeat to Nottinghamshire in their C&G Trophy North Conference tie.

The home side were 95-3 from 20 overs in reply to Notts's 250 when bright sunlight delayed the game for an hour.

Graeme Swann dismissed Travis Birt and skipper Graeme Welch in a pivotal 30th over to leave Derbyshire's lower order with too much to do with 27 balls left.

Jason Gallian and Will Smith had shared an opening stand of 139 for Notts.

The duo came unstuck when Derbyshire sent on the spinners with Ant Botha diving to catch Smith (73).

Skipper Stephen Fleming soon followed as he failed to clear long-on while David Hussey clipped to deep-midwicket. Gallian's 122-ball innings ended when he drilled Botha to long-on.

Nottinghamshire looked set to fall short but wicket-keeper Chris Read contributed an unbeaten 33 from 21 balls to boost the total.

The home side came unstuck early on when former Derbyshire seamer Andrew Harris had James Pipe and Steve Stubbings caught behind to reduce them to 55-3.

However, Birt and Chris Taylor shared a century stand before Swann struck to put local rivals Notts on their way to victory and deny Derbyshire top spot in the table.