Notts reached a respectable 191-2 but remain a formidable 509 runs behind Essex after two days at Chelmsford.

Wicket-keeper James Foster hit 23 fours and three sixes in his 204, just short of his career-best, and shared 254 with Australian Andy Bichel who made 148.

Bichel's score was a career-best but after he departed Graham Napier smashed eight sixes and 11 fours in his 101-ball 125, also his personal best.

The Foster-Bichel stand just missed the Essex record for the seventh wicket.

In 1914 at Leyton, Johnny Douglas & John Freeman put on 261 against Lancashire.

Notts needed 551 just to save the follow-on but made steady progress.

Bichel made an early breakthrough by breaching the defence of Jason Gallian before leg-spinner Danish Kaneria struck in his first over to have Bilal Shafayat caught low at slip by Varun Chopra.

There should have been a third wicket when Bichel found Mark Wagh's edge when he had made only two.

But a perhaps fatigued Foster failed to pouch the chance diving to his right.

Wagh made the most of his reprieve to reach 81, sharing an unbroken 121 with Samit Patel who hit some attacking strokes in his 58.