Paul Grayson and James Foster mounted a brave, if ultimately unsuccessful, bid to avoid the follow-on as Essex struggled to stay afloat against fellow first division strugglers Northamptonshire at Northampton.

Grayson held firm for five and a half hours to make 173 – his third Championship century of the summer – while Foster, the talented 21-year-old wicket-keeper/batsman, notched 79 to boost the visitors to 430 all out.

They were still forced to follow on and closed on 30-1 in their second knock – needing another 173 to make Northants bat again with a day to go.

Grayson and Darren Robinson (63) took their second-wicket stand to 197 in 59 overs before Robinson edged Paul Taylor behind, and Essex then ran into serious trouble with the loss of three key wickets in quick succession.

Stuart Law, making his return to Championship duty after a month's absence, went cheaply as Tony Penberthy removed him with a hint of late movement, and when Ronnie Irani and Stephen Peters also missed out the visitors had subsided from 245-2 to 260-5 in the space of four overs.

Grayson's long vigil, studded with 22 fours, ended shortly after lunch as he snicked Graeme Swann low to slip, but Essex continued to resist through Foster who shared half-century partnerships with both Graham Napier (35) and Tim Phillips (25).

Penberthy eventually had Foster, who escaped two chances to slip, taken by the wicket-keeper, and Northants ended the day on a high note as opener Richard Clinton failed for the second time in the match.

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