Essex secured the Division Two title in style with a seven-wicket win over Nottinghamshire.

It capped a fine season for the Chelmsford club, who also gained promotion in the National League 12 months after they suffered Championship relegation.

Will Jefferson was the star performer, compensating for his first-innings duck with a sublime unbeaten 165.

The day started with any of three teams capable of claiming the title, but Middlesex and Notts will have to be content with promotion only.

Resuming play on 129 for two, Essex faced something of a trappy quest with 340 the target.

Moment of joy

But Notts would have just one moment of joy, and they had to endure the concession of 76 runs before Paul Franks dismissed Mark Waugh.

The Australian Test star was caught by Jason Gallian for a 72-ball 76.

Waugh played just the two final Championship fixtures, but his 232 runs in three innings did not go astray as Essex strived for promotion.

Aftab Habib joined Jefferson at the crease, hitting an unbeaten 57 as the two were untroubled in steering their side to an easy win.

Jefferson's 165 came off 214 balls and included 29 boundaries, and his handling of star spinner Stuart MacGill (one for 125) was a highlight.

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.