Four balls in and Durham lost Michael Di Venuto, who was caught behind off Andre Adams for 7.
Nightwatchman Mitchell Claydon was trapped lbw by Adams four overs later for 12.
Mark Stoneman played a tenacious innings, getting his head down and putting on 73 with Paul Collingwood before the latter was caught behind off Patterson for 33.
A third catch for Chris Read saw Dale Benkenstein dismissed off Adams without scoring leaving Durham 123-5 just 15 minutes into the second session.
Stoneman was eventually bowled by Fletcher on 73 bringing Phil Mustard to join Blackwell, who, when he was dropped on 20, was given a second chance to contribute to the Durham cause.
Batting patiently the pair slowly continued to chase down the Notts total to below 150 but the visitors were reduced 180-7 when Mustard was trapped lbw to White for 12.
Blackwell (31) was caught and bowled by White two overs later and by the tea break, with Mark Wood just getting into his stride, Durham were 102 runs short.
Callum Thorp fell for 11 after he was caught by Mullaney off White for 11. Despite the late flurry from the tail which included six boundaries and a six from an unbeaten Mark Wood (45*) Durham were bowled out 68 runs short of the win once Ruel Brathwaite was stumped by White, becoming his fourth victim.
Follow the action from the day’s play online, as it happened, by visiting Durham CCC’s Live Match Chat (www.durhamccc.co.uk/live-match-chat)
Match highlights are available on Durham TV – www.durhamccc.co.uk/durhamtv/highlights
At the close of play Head Coach Geoff Cook said, “It’s vital that we lick the wounds and go away and get ready to put in two performances that are befitting of a team near the top of the table.
“We were always a game ahead early on and we played some good cricket but resources were becoming a little bit thin and people like Lancashire are playing on pitches you can get results on.
“We played excellently at the start of the season and we need to try and re-capture those levels,
Mark Stoneman has come back from injury and is playing well in four day and one day cricket, he’s got a fresh mind and I thought his innings today was excellent. He and Collingwood played really well and at lunch we thought we were in with a chance.
“Mark Wood is a lively character, he is talented with the bat and ball and I think he enjoyed himself out there today. In terms of the standards necessary it was good for him to see the Notts bowlers keep the pressure on and that’s a good education for him.
“With regard to the coming games, we have a few unknowns, with regard to the England ODI selection [on Friday]and we have a couple of injuries, Wood has got a bit of a sore side and Ruel Brathwaite has hurt his knee so both will have scans this week. It would be nice for Mark Wood to finish the season having earned his place in order to get more experience and that’s not just to be nice to him, he’s made telling contributions to the team.”