Division One strugglers Worcestershire enjoyed one of their best days of a troubled summer, dismissing Nottinghamshire for 219 in the LV County Championship fixture at New Road.

Former Bradford League pace bowler Imran Arif took five wickets in an innings for the second time in a fledgling county career - and Jack Shantry, younger brother of Glamorgan's Adam, claimed two for 53 on his debut.

Having secured a first-innings lead for only the second time this season, Worcestershire scented an opportunity to land their first win when closing on 176 for five after a partnership of 142 between two left-handers, Moeen Ali and Steve Davies.

Surrey-bound Davies, who leaves for the Oval at the end of the season, was caught at square-leg for 76 in the final over off Andy Carter - and Moeen (59no) made the most of two escapes in the slips as the home side extended their advantage to a healthy 291.

Nottinghamshire's batsmen encountered problems on a day when 12 wickets fell before tea. With their title hopes fading rapidly after seven matches without a win, they came up short of a substantial total on a seam-friendly surface.

Although boundaries were plentiful as Worcestershire attacked from the outset, the lively Arif added to his overnight dismissal of Scott Newman by picking up two more wickets in a long opening spell.

Alex Hales nibbled a catch to second slip, and Samit Patel - having played positively for his run-a-ball 46 - skied a loose shot to deep square-leg.

Shantry, a left-arm seamer who has played for Shropshire since 2006, had Bilal Shafayat caught behind for his first championship wicket - and all of Worcestershire's four bowlers had some success in polishing off Notts after lunch.

Mark Wagh, never totally fluent in making 49, got himself out - attempting to cut Arif - and Chris Read, after successive centuries against Warwickshire and Hampshire, went cheaply when bowled by Gareth Andrew.

Mark Ealham, making 17 on his 40th birthday, repeated Patel's dismissal to give Shantry his second wicket - and Richard Jones accounted for Andre Adams and Charlie Shreck in successive overs. Finally Arif held a low return catch from Carter to complete a return of five for 93.

When Worcestershire batted again and lost four wickets for 34, there was a danger they would waste a strong performance by their inexperienced attack.

Adams blitzed the top order in a spell of three for 17 before tea - and immediately after the interval, their position worsened when Shreck flattened Ben Smith's middle stump.

Adams had openers Daryl Mitchell and Stephen Moore caught behind, and Vikram Solanki was lbw second ball.