As he shared partnerships of 61 with Stevie Eskinazi (58) and 108 with Jayant Yadav (56), Higgins held Middlesex’s first innings together with 137 – his first century for the county.

Nottinghamshire responded with 92-2, of which Ben Slater has 49 not out, more than doubling their season total of 366.

Kent, one point ahead of Middlesex in the battle to avoid relegation, are likely to match those three batting points against Lancashire in Canterbury after already securing three bowling points.

To stay up, Middlesex must win unless Kent loses.

In total, Brett Hutton took 60 wickets this season for Nottinghamshire.

With his fourth ball of the day, he broke the overnight partnership between Higgins and John Simpson, leaving Simpson lbw for 26.

After Eskinazi’s blow to the head that forced his retirement on day one, his dismissal confirmed that he was fine.

Eskinazi resumed his innings on 23 and he and Higgins put on 61 runs for the fifth wicket before Dane Paterson dismissed him for 58.

After a testing second spell, Hutton dismissed Joshua de Caires with a thin edge to wicketkeeper Tom Moores, leaving Middlesex in danger at 241-6.