Teenager Alastair Cook marked his Championship debut with an unbeaten half century to end Nottinghamshire's lingering hopes of avoiding relegation.

The 18-year-old hit 13 fours in his 69 not out as he and former Zimbabwe Test star Andy Flower (45) completed the formalities with a day to spare.

Notts had only a remote chance of escaping the drop before the game started as they trailed fourth from bottom Warwickshire by 44.5 points.

But only skipper Jason Gallian showed the necessary tenacity with the bat in their second innings, as he occupied the crease for over five and a half hours to make 79.

Resuming on 71-2, their middle order fell apart in an excellent spell by medium pacer Andy Clarke, who responded to the threat of being released at the end of the summer by picking up 4-34.

Will Jefferson (38) and Cook then set Essex on their way with an opening stand of 80, and the home side eventually knocked off the runs in just 34 overs.

Essex: W I Jefferson, A N Cook, A Flower, M L Pettini, R C Irani (Capt), J S Foster (Wkt), G R Napier, J D Middlebrook J M Dakin, Mohammad Akram, A J Clarke.