By Andy Stockhausen

Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger admitted his side had fallen short with the bat after posting a meagre 121-8.

He said: "It's been a bit of a trend over the course of the last four games - no-one has stood up with the bat and made a really big score.

"You need one guy to score a 60 or a 70 and, preferably, two of them to do that, if you want to be sure of winning. I cannot complain at the way the guys are getting out, because they are playing attacking shots. But they just need to exercise their skills a bit better.

"We have two games to play and need to win them both. Usually, 16 points is enough to get you through, but it might not be this year."

After taking 2-17 and hitting the winnings runs, Essex bowler Paul Walter said: "I'd like to roll this wicket up and take it with me. These games are usually high-scoring and not much fun for the bowlers, but this was very different and made for an exciting game.

"Jamie Porter bowled really well for us and Varun Chopra batted brilliantly in the power-play to give us the perfect start. I thought I might be able to pout my feet up, but I'm used to coming in at seven and having to bat in these situations. We just knocked the ball around, took the singles and got ourselves over the line for a good win."