NICK Browne kept Essex’s heads above water last night as league leaders Lancashire threatened to steal an unlikely victory.

After two-and-a-half days of rain-interrupted play, the match seemed odds-on to end in draw despite Lancashire’s declaration of 402-8 shortly before tea yesterday.

But James Faulkner and James Lester combined to rip through all of Essex’s top order, apart from Browne who was not out last night on 78.

That left Essex wobbling at 139/5 and with a lot of work to do still this morning.

Earlier in the day, Steven Croft underpinned the home side’s total of 402 with a watchful innings of 122.

Faulkner also chipped in with a useful 68 before Arron Lilley and Kyle Jarvis put on an unbroken 55 in 40 balls to gain a fifth batting bonus point for the home side, which instantly brought about the declaration.

Reece Topley was the pick of the visiting bowlers, finishing with 3-90.

Lester soon had the Essex batsmen nervous and bowled first Jaik Mickleburgh and then new-boy Liam Dawson.

Faulkner then came into the attack to claim the wickets of Ravi Bopara, Jesse Ryder and Ryan ten Doeschate in quick succession.

That left Browne and Foster having to dig deep and go into survival mode, something that seemed extremely unlikely at the start of play.