STAND-IN captain Luke Sutton hailed the performance of veteran bowler Dominic Cork in Lancashire's County Championship draw with Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford.

The Red Rose county claimed 11 points from their clash with the Trent Bridge side.

But 36-year-old Cork tried his best to snatch a second win of the season with a three-wicket burst in just four balls after Sutton had set the visitors 315 to win in 73 overs by declaring before lunch.

Cork removed Will Jefferson, Mark Wagh and Samit Patel to set the game up for a lively conclusion in the final two sessions.

Francois Du Plessis later got Paul Franks for 42, but Notts skipper Chris Read batted out the rest of the day to finish 71 not out.

Cork finished with 3-35 from nine overs to complete match figures of 6-95 from 29.3 overs.

"Dominic was magnificent for us in the first and second innings," said Sutton.

"It was hard work for the seamers on a very good pitch, but he made plenty of noise and made things happen.

"He got us started, but unfortunately we couldn't go any further. The wicket won in the end.

"The thing with Dominic is he's not 21 anymore, and spells like that take a lot out of him. So even though it's very tempting to keep pushing him, the rewards aren't going to be great."

South African Kolpak Du Plessis earlier hit his second half century of the game, an unbeaten 53, while Sutton added a brisk 38 to help Lancs declared on 234-6.

The Red Rose county go into the three-week Twenty20 Cup campaign 27 points behind new leaders Yorkshire. But they are still only two points off the bottom.

"It was frustrating not to get the win, but we dominated the game from day one and played very well," continued Sutton.

"Our four-day cricket up to the last game against Yorkshire at Headingley had been a bit indifferent, but now we've got some confidence back with the bat and a bit more energy in the field."

Cricket manager Mike Watkinson added: "We've come out with a draw, but I'm really pleased with the performance.

"There were so many positives, and the energy provided by younger players like Croft, Horton and Du Plessis should put us in good stead for Twenty20."

Stuart Law returns to captain the side in the Twenty20 opener at Leicestershire on Wednesday, while Gareth Cross will replace wicketkeeper Sutton.