Nottinghamshire earned a nine-run win over Gloucestershire under the Duckworth/Lewis method to stay top of Pro40 Division One.

Samit Patel (65) was the top scorer in Notts' 208-8, while Gloucestershire's Will Rudge returned his best one-day figures of 4-57.

The home side were 92-4 off 19 overs when the weather intervened.

Mark Ealham's four-over spell of 3-10 for Notts ended up proving crucial in securing his side's victory.

A partnership of 47 from Kadeer Ali and Hamish Marshall got the Gloucestershire chase off to a good start.

But on 30, Kadeer skied an Andre Adams delivery to wicketkeeper Chris Read and then Ealham's introduction helped Notts to a third win in as many matches.

The veteran all-rounder had Marshall and Alex Gidman both lbw in the space of three balls in his second over.

Then, with rain falling, Ealham struck again in his fourth over when Steve Snell was caught by Graeme Swann at short extra cover.