Essex were no doubt relieved and surprised when they were made to follow on by Gloucester in the wake of an inept batting performance at Colchester.

The county finished exactly 150 runs behind on first innings but visiting skipper Mark Alleyne elected to build upon that lead rather than let his bowlers loose again.

Alleyne was probably left questioning the wisdom of his decision as his side lost two wickets before close while increasing their advantage by a further 11 runs.

One can only assume he fears a deterioration of the Castle Park pitch and does not relish chasing any sort of target in the fourth innings.

But with heavy rain forecast his approach appeared to be a negative one for a side desperately seeking a victory to lift them from the bottom of the table.

Essex first innings total of 174 in reply to their opponents 324 suggests the pitch was starting to turn into a batsman's nightmare.

Nearer the truth is that poor batting, and not a poor strip, contributed to the county's tale of woe.

A succession of rash strokes, starting with Paul Prichard's tame surrender to square leg, was the major reason for the decline of the innings.

Stuart Law and Ronnie Irani were among those who perished through loose strokes which would have angered them, while Graham Napier, after reaching a well compiled 21, pulled a long hop to square leg.

Paul Grayson and Tim Mason, coming in at number nine, were the only two players who resisted for any length of time while displaying the type of discipline required.

Grayson stayed out for 48 overs before he was seventh out for 56 with the total on 141, and Mason had made 24 from 68 balls before running out of partners.

Off-spinner Michael Ball and the lively if sometimes wayward Ben Gannon were the chief recipients of the county's short comings - finishing with 3-32 and 3-61 respectively.

Much earlier the Gloucester last wicket pair of Jeremy Snape and Gannon put the pitch in truer light while taking part in a stand of 58, the best of the innings.

It was finally brought to an end by Irani when he bowled Gannon for 28 leaving Snape unbeaten with a pugnacious 54 which contained six fours and spanned 111 deliveries.

Irani also claimed one Gloucester wicket to fall in the second innings when he had Matt Windows caught behind.

The other, that of Dennis Houston, was picked up by Ashley Cowen and Essex did manage to end the second day with a crumb of comfort.

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