GLOUCESTERSHIRE are on the brink of their first defeat of the season in the County Championship Division Two match against Essex.

A flurry of wickets in the final session at Bristol left Gloucestershire on 115-9 in their second innings, just 93 runs ahead of Essex.

After an opening stand of 51 between Kadeer Ali (27) and Craig Spearman (28), the county lost their next eight wickets for just 37 runs. Maurice Chambers (3-30), Ryan ten Doeschate (2-32) and David Masters (3-12) did the damage for Essex.

Earlier, Gloucestershire had to deal without overseas bowler James Franklin due to a hamstring problem but still bowled Essex out for just 177 in their first innings. Skipper Alex Gidman took 3-23 from 15 overs.