NOTTINGHAMSHIRE took a substantial step towards quarter-final qualification for the first time since 1995 in this toughest and tightest of groups, which could be decided on run-rate.

Kevin Curran, the Northamptonshire captain, will be disappointed that his batsmen were chasing such a challenging total on a decent batting pitch which, nevertheless, rewarded line and length.

Franklyn Rose's previous two matches in the competition had yielded combined figures of eight for 44 from 19.1 overs but yesterday he bowled too short and wide. Paul Johnson and Graeme Archer rarely missed a chance to send the bad ball to the boundary.

Tony Penberthy bowled his medium-pacers to good effect, darting the ball back into the right-hander, and his figures of three for 22 were his best in the competition.

At 85 for three in only the 16th over, consolidation was the watchword for the visitors and Johnson mixed vigilant defence with sensible aggression. He played two exquisite late cuts off Andy Oram and his 69, which came from 83 balls, included seven other boundaries.

After Tim Robinson perished heaving across the line at Penberthy, Johnson received support from Archer, who was picked ahead of the more defensively minded Usman Afzaal.

The pair put on 72 in 12 overs, whereupon Archer forged ahead after Johnson's dismissal and hit one colossal six in the last over off the unfortunate Rose before being bowled trying to repeat the dose. His runs came off only 71 balls.

In truth, Northamptonshire were never really in the hunt. After the loss of David Capel - acrobatically caught by Archer at extra cover - Mal Loye and David Sales put on 68 in 13 overs. But they departed in the space of six deliveries.

Thereafter, only Curran offered any resistance and when he fell in the 46th over with 52 still required, the game was well and truly up.