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Hampshire's lower order rallied against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge to give them hope of Division One survival.

Resuming on 0-1, the visitors slumped to 89-5, before Liam Dawson (69) and Sean Ervine (32) shared a stand of 60.

Gareth Berg then hit 52 not out as Hampshire reached 298-8 - a first innings deficit of 42 - before bad light brought an early close.

Hampshire can now stay up if they win and Sussex lose against champions Yorkshire at Headingley.

At one stage, Hampshire were 203-8 and looked likely to be bowled out for under 250, while Sussex were heading towards the 250 mark, which would have given them enough bonus points to relegate Hampshire.

However, Sussex were eventually all out for 248 meaning the battle for survival would come down to the final results.

The Hampshire recovery from eight down was led by all-rounder Berg and South African Ryan McLaren (44 not out) who put together an unbroken partnership of 95.

Earlier, skipper James Vince had made 42 off 40 balls before he was bowled by Harry Gurney and Dawson struck his 26th first-class half-century.

Left-armer Gurney, who did most of the damage in the morning session including snaffling Jimmy Adams caught down the leg side with his first ball, returned the best bowling figures for Notts with 3-58.

In Leeds, Yorkshire closed on 55-1 in their second innings - a lead of 58 over Sussex.

Meanwhile, Somerset - the third county in relegation peril - made sure of their place in Division One next season by picking up seven bonus points against Warwickshire at Taunton.