Nottinghamshire remained on top of Division One in the Championship despite the disappointment of a dull draw against Durham at Trent Bridge.

Stuart Broad (4-39) recorded his best Notts figures, only for Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Michael Di Venuto to close out a stalemate.

It maintained a 10-point gap between these two title contenders.

The hosts' director of cricket Mick Newell was perplexed by the extremes of Durham's safety-first second innings.

It featured notable strokelessness from the gifted Chanderpaul, before stumps were mercifully drawn on 257-8.

There was consolation for Nottinghamshire in Broad's impressive swing bowling, and their continued cosy residence at the top of the table - thanks to draws elsewhere for the chasing pack.

"It keeps us at the top of the division. That's not a bad place to be," said Newell.

Broad only briefly resurrected the possibility of victory for the leaders this morning, when he accounted for Mark Stoneman and Dale Benkenstein.

His match figures read 7-86, after he swung one delivery past Stoneman's forward defence to win an obvious lbw verdict - and then a similar recipe found Benkenstein's outside edge.

Newell is hoping Broad will be available for the next two weeks, including a rematch with Durham at Chester-le-Street.

Broad would have had a fifth wicket - prising the contest ajar again, with the lead 161 and 54 overs still left in the day - had Adam Voges clung on to a low catch away to his left at first slip, offered by Ben Harmison on nought.