IAN Hunter returned career-best figures to put Derbyshire in command of their County Championship match against Essex at Chelmsford.

The fast-medium pacer picked up five for 46 from 23 overs to earn his county a first-innings lead of 132 and his figures were just reward for some high-class bowling.

He consistently swung the ball and generated lift to pose problems and it would have been no surprise had he reaped greater reward, so frequently did he pass the bat.

Hunter began by removing Jason Gallian and Jaik Mickleburgh in a nine-over spell costing only 13 and later undermined the middle order.

Three of his victims were snapped up at slip or by the wicket-keeper, while James Middlebrook departed playing across the line and James Foster swatted an easy catch to cover after helping Essex reach the 177 needed to avoid the follow-on.

But it was Derbyshire's failings that were largely responsible for them not being able to enforce it.

Well before the target had been reached, the visitors were left reflecting on missed opportunities.

Mark Pettini, twice, and Foster were both dropped, while Varun Chopra should have been run out soon after Essex had resumed overnight on 29 without loss.

Jon Clare was the guilty man on that occasion when he failed to throw down the stumps after running round from third slip with the batsman well out of his ground.

Clare later reprieved Pettini by failing to hold on to a catch at deep fine leg as soon as he had reached double figures, and Stuart Law put down a chance at second slip low to his left off the same batsman.

Despite their shortcomings in the field, Derbyshire still seemed likely to make Essex follow on as Hunter and Clare each picked up a couple of wickets in the space of six overs to reduce their rivals to 151 for eight.

But Foster and David Masters were to end such fears, though the former was put down by Steve Stubbings at first slip.

Stubbings' misery continued when Derbyshire went in again. Before they had built on their sizeable advantage, he was on his way back to the pavilion, caught at first slip by Gallian to provide Masters with success.

Four runs later, bad light and rain put paid to the day's proceedings, as Derbyshire finished 136 ahead.