Three wicket hauls from Charlie Shreck and Paul Franks helped restrict Essex to 154 all out but a top order wobble saw them slip to 126-5 in reply.

Three wicket hauls from Charlie Shreck and Paul Franks helped restrict Essex to 154 all out but a top order wobble saw them slip to 126-5 in reply.

Chris Read (31) and Ali Brown (30) will resume for Notts who were in trouble at 72-5 after Wagh, Mullaney and Patel fell in quick succession.

Opening pair Alex Hales (9) and Bilal Shafayat (1) also struggled against the swing of Maurice Chambers before Wagh and Patel united to add 48 for the third wicket.

John Maunders gifted Notts an early wicket attempting a quick single from the seventh ball of the innings, an opportunity gratefully grasped by Steven Mullaney.

The tenth wicket stand of 34 was the most fruitful partnership of the Essex innings as the seam attack made regular breakthroughs. Shreck (3-40), Adams (2-26) and Franks (3-20) were the pick of the bowlers whilst Mullaney ended the innings by removing Chambers.