Nottinghamshire are through to the last eight of the Friends Provident Trophy after beating Ireland by just one run in a tense encounter at Trent Bridge.

Needing six off the last ball, Ireland's Kevin O'Brien could only force Darren Pattinson for four.

O'Brien had done his best to inspire Ireland to only their fifth win over a first-class county, hitting 93 not out.

Earlier, disciplined batting by overseas batsman Adam Voges (82) helped Notts to a total of 241-6.

Samit Patel also made 75 and Chris Read weighed in with an unbeaten 53 for Notts, who were rocked early on when West Indies international paceman Ravi Rampaul reduced them to 22-3.

O'Brien's total came off just 75 balls, the 24-year-old going from 50 to 93 in just 26 deliveries. But, despite hitting 11 fours and a six, his late heroics proved in vain.

Notts still have to beat Leicestershire at Oakham School on Wednesday to ensure they finish top of the Midlands Division and earn a home quarter final on 4 June.

But they are already through to the last eight thanks to a better head-to-head record in their two games against Northants.

A Northants victory in Dublin against the Irish would take them level on 10 points (and four wins each) if Notts lose to Leicestershire.

But the rules of the competition state that sides level on points are separated first by the number of wins and, if that is still equal, then by head-to-head results.

Rain ruined their scheduled return at Wantage Road on Sunday. But there was enough play in the previous meeting between the two at Trent Bridge on 4 May, when Notts squeezed to a Duckworth/Lewis victory.