Nic Pothas lofts the ball away for a leg-side boundary

Nottinghamshire's title hopes faded as Hampshire produced a stubborn batting effort on day three at Trent Bridge.

After fog had delayed the start, opener Michael Brown set the tone with 93 and Nic Pothas hit 104 not out as the visitors ended on 376-5, a lead of 368.

Pothas reached three figures with a superb cover drive off off Samit Patel, one of 11 boundaries in his innings.

With Durham poised to beat Kent, Notts must win to take the title but it was a remote prospect at the close.

Having lost vital momentum with an undistinguished batting effort on the second day, the home were looking to their bowlers to revive their hopes.

And after a 45-minute hold-up at the start, they were given an early lift when all-rounder Andre Adams had Michael Lumb lbw for 27 with an inswinging delivery.

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They should have made a second breakthrough before lunch when Charlie Shreck found the edge of Chris Benham's bat, but Notts captain/keeper Chris Read failed to hold a low chance.

It proved a costly miss as Benham went on to bat for over three hours to make 66.

Brown, meanwhile, moved calmly towards a second Championship century of the summer, only to fall seven runs short when he was adjudged leg-before to a turning delivery from off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Sean Ervine only managed 11 before he flailed at a wide ball from veteran Mark Ealham and Will Jefferson took a slip catch at the second attempt.

But Benham continued to bat positively, reverse-sweeping Swann and pulling two balls for four in the same over from Darren Pattinson.

It took a superb delivery from Patel to dislodge him, the ball turning to hit off-stump, but by then Pothas was well established after a stand of 85 with Benham.

Pothas found another determined ally in Liam Dawson, although the youngster was dropped by both Read and Jefferson in one over from Swann.

Together, they added 109 for the sixth wicket and saw their side safely through to stumps, with Dawson just two short of a maiden first-class fifty.

Notts coach Mick Newell was quick to defend Read after the uncharacteristic errors from the accomplished gloveman.

"Possibly there was a lot going on in his mind," he said.

"Perhaps it was a little bit of extra pressure on him because of us having to chase the game.

"It is always more difficult when you're stood up but I still believe he is the best keeper in England."