Samit Patel took six for 13 to set up Nottinghamshire's thrilling two-wicket victory over Ireland in their Friends Provident Group A clash in Dublin.

The hosts, who now have no wins and four defeats from six matches, were pinned back by the England all-rounder after a brisk opening, and had to settle for 140 from their 34 overs after the start was delayed by rain.

With just a moderate target to chase down, the visitors got off to a poor start when Mark Wagh (four) was trapped in front by Phil Eaglestone, but Ali Brown (32) and Alex Hales (15) steadied things before the latter fell.

Patel toiled for 23 balls before departing for six and Adam Voges was then run out for a duck.

When Brown was caught off Regan West Notts were struggling on 77 for five, but they had moved on to 119 by the time Chris Read (12) became the sixth man out.

Will Jefferson compiled a crucial, watchful 31 before he was caught off Andrew White and it set up a grandstand finish, with the English county requiring 14 from the final two overs.

Released England seamer Ryan Sidebottom was run out for two but his team were not to be denied as they reached their target from the penultimate ball of the match.

After early rain at Clontarf Cricket Ground, it soon looked as though the hosts would struggle to see out even 34 overs after they were put in to bat.

A swift opening 50-run stand between Reinhardt Strydom (27) and Jeremy Bray (22) was brought to an end when both were stumped by Read off the left-arm spin of Patel.

The same combination accounted for Paul Stirling (10) when he was caught behind and Ireland were teetering on 62 for four when Andrew Poynter was trapped lbw by Patel's next ball.

England's one-cap wonder Darren Pattinson rapped John Mooney on the pads to remove the Irishman for a 20-ball four, but the hosts then staged something of a recovery.

Kevin O'Brien (22) and Andrew White (24) added a much-needed 47 runs for the sixth wicket, albeit at a snail's pace, before both also fell to a rampant Patel.

Captain Kyle McCallan was the last man out, bowled by Luke Fletcher for six, to leave Alex Cusack (14 not out) and West (2no) unbeaten in a score of 140 for eight.