Nottinghamshire clinched the third promotion spot from County Championship division two after taking maximum bowling points from their match against Essex at Chelmsford.

With Worcestershire struggling with the bat against Derbyshire, Notts cannot now be passed even if they lose and Graeme Hick's side win.

But Jason Gallian's men could well round off their season in style after an accomplished display in the field left them well-placed in their final game after two days' play.

The visitors dismissed Essex, who have already clinched a place in the top flight, for 282, gaining a first-innings lead of 59, and had extended that to 98 by moving to 39 for one at the close of play.

Mark Waugh made 49 as Essex prospered during the morning, but he was bowled by Paul Franks shortly before lunch.

And compatriot Stuart MacGill took two further wickets either side of the break, including Aftab Habib for 50, to redress the balance and the tail followed meakly.

Gallian and Guy Welton made a bright start to Nottinghamshire's second innings, but the latter went for 23 five overs before the close when he was beaten by off-spinner James Middlebrook.

Essex: D D J Robinson, W I Jefferson, J P Stephenson, M E Waugh, A Habib, A P Grayson (Capt), J S Foster (Wkt), J M Dakin, J D Middlebrook, G R Napier, J B Grant.

Nottinghamshire: J E R Gallian (Capt), G E Welton, D J Bicknell, U Afzaal, B M Shafayat, P Johnson, C M W Read (Wkt), P J Franks, S C G MacGill, G J Smith, A J Harris.