Lewis smashed 26 in 21 balls with 5 fours, while Mark Alleyne took his overnight 125 to 142 not out. His superb captains knock saved his side and contained 258 balls and 22 fours.

Jon Dakin (4-62), the pick of the Essex bowlers eventually took the last wicket as he bowled Lewis, but Gloucs 1st inns total of 379 all out was much more than it should have been at 145-7.

So Essex set about the business of making inrodes into the Gloucs total, though did it rather slow and maintained a run-rate barely over two an over. Paul Grayson went first, dissapointing for just 18, as Ian Harvey had him lbw, 29-1.

Richard Clinton and Darren Robinson then added 48 more runs before Clinton went with the score on 77, being bowled by Fisher for 24.

Aftab Habib and Robbo then put on 59 quick runs to boost up the total, though Habib's contribution of this was just 18 before he was 3rd out caught by Harvey bowled by Alleyne and at 136-3 Essex would have been slightly worried.

But there was nothing to panic about with Andy Flower strolling to the crease for his first Essex knock. This because he played his way to a superb 91 on debut off only 138 balls with 9 fours and 3 maximums. He and Robinson put on 164 for the 4th wicket (the same figure Alleyne and Fisher put on for Gloucs) and it put Essex right back in the match.

Darren Robinson went to a watchful century (the 12th of his 1st Class career) and what an effort by the man who has come in for his fair share of criticism over the years, but as said before, if more consistent, can be top draw and so today proved.

The wonderful partnership was brought to a close, as Flower went 9 short of a maiden ton, as Lewis got reward for tight bowling with a wicket, but at 300-4 Essex were just 79 behind with still 6 wickets to go.

Despite that rather late wicket, James Middlebrook came out as night-watchman and was unbeaten on 0 while Robbo will start day 2 on a superb 127 (296 balls, 21 fours).

Essex then finished the day on 305-4 from 99 overs and with still 6 wickets left and with Robbo & Middlebrook there and Ronnie and Dakin still to come, a target of around 450 is on the cards, then time for some pressure. Day 3 will be the most pivotal day of the match and perhaps the most interesting, providing it stays dry?!