They built on Ashley Cowan's impressive all-round display earlier in the day. Cowan made 40 with the bat to help Essex recover from a middle-order collapse and secure a first-innings lead of 10 runs. The 27-year-old then took two early wickets as Derbyshire made a shaky start to their second innings, and Irani took over to leave the visitors in trouble on 73 for five at stumps.

However, Essex will have to do without Richard Clinton should they get the chance to bat again on the final day. The opener has been diagnosed as suffering a fractured right wrist, which will be pinned on Wednesday, and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

Cowan began to change the course of the game when he shared a 48-run eighth-wicket partnership with James Middlebrook after Derbyshire's Kevin Dean had taken three wickets in the space of seven balls.

The home side resumed on 93 for three in reply and with opener Darren Robinson looking to complete his half-century. Robinson resumed on 39 and made a positive start in the first full over when he hit the first boundary of the day with a late cut to backward point. But Mohammad Ali gained revenge with the next delivery when Robinson attempted a hook shot from a short ball but could only sky a catch to fine leg where he was safely caught by Dean for 43.

Jon Dakin hit the second boundary of the day but Dean found the outside edge of his bat with the next ball and Michael di Venuto snapped up the catch at second slip. Dakin was immediately followed back to the pavilion by John Stephenson for a golden duck when a good length ball by Dean struck him on the pads and he was adjudged lbw.

Dean took his third wicket with the first ball of his next over when Graham Napier was clean bowled to leave Essex struggling on 112 for seven. But Middlebrook and Cowan managed to stem the flow of wickets and took Essex into the lead before Middlebrook (15) was caught behind by Karl Krikken off the bowling of Graeme Welch.

Cowan was bowled by Jason Kerr shortly after and with Clinton still unable to bat, Essex were dismissed for 168.

Cowan's form then continued with the ball as Stephen Stubbings played across the line to the fifth ball of the innings and was bowled with no runs on the board. Cowan struck again in the ninth over when Andrew Gait was trapped lbw before rain caused a lengthy disruption.

When play eventually resumed after tea, Irani quickly made up for lost time. Dominic Hewson was caught at third slip by Middlebrook after making nine and Christopher Bassano was trapped lbw for the same score. Irani then captured the prize wicket of di Venuto when the Australian opener edged a catch to Andy Flower behind the stumps nine runs short of his half-century.

For more Derbyshire cricket news from Ananova, click the girl.