Former Nottinghamshire trialist Francois Du Plessis returned to haunt his old side as Lancashire won with four balls to spare at Trent Bridge.

The South African, who turned down a Nottinghamshire deal, hit seven fours and a six in his 37-ball innings of 57 in a five-wicket win for the visitors.

The hosts' total of 151 for seven was built around 51 from overseas batsman Adam Voges, who faced 42 balls.

Andrew Flintoff continued his comeback with two catches and 13 off nine balls.

On a slow, turning pitch, the Nottinghamshire batsmen struggled to time the ball for much of their innings and were thankful to Voges for helping them to a half-decent total.

The Western Australian put on 57 for the second wicket with Samit Patel, who hit Steven Croft over cover for six before he was removed for a confident 31 by leg-spinner Simon Marshall, edging a sweep to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross.

Chris Cairns and Chris Read quickly followed as the run-rate slowed in the middle overs, with Voges pulling Du Plessis to the waiting Flintoff at deep mid-wicket, leaving Mark Ealham to hit two sixes in a late cameo of 28 off 21 balls.

Marshall picked up 3-27 in a very handy spell while Du Plessis' three overs cost just 13.

Lancashire lost Lou Vincent cheaply but opener Mal Loye hit five fours and a six before he top-edged a reverse sweep to point for 32.

Captain Stuart Law added 66 in nine overs with Du Plessis before Nottinghamshire seamer Andre Adams removed both Law and Kyle Hogg in the 15th over.

That brought Flintoff to the crease, with the 30-year-old surviving an lbw appeal and run-out attempt off his first ball as well as a missed stumping off Rob Ferley, who bowled him two balls later.

But the England man did hit two welcome boundaries to keep his team on course for their win.