They may have lost more than a day's play, but Essex and Derbyshire look to be heading for an exciting finish tomorrow after a further clatter of wickets. Essex, 93 for three overnight, soon lost Darren Robinson for 43 this morning and he turned out to be their top scorer.

Mohammed Ali (three for 58) and Kevin Dean (three for 48) were the main beneficiaries as Essex at one point looked likely to fall short of Derbyshire's meagre total. However an eighth wicket stand of 48 between James Middlebrook and Ashley Cowan helped lift the home side to 168, a lead of just ten runs.

Derbyshire were soon in trouble again, with their acting captain, Michael Di Venuto watching helplessly as four top wickets fell before the close. Stephen Stubbings, Andrew Gait, Dominic Hewson and Chris Bassano all failed to reach double figures.

Di Venuto himself was out shortly before the close to give his opposite number, Ronnie Irani, his third wicket of the session as Derbyshire closed on 73 for five, just 63 runs ahead.

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