Derbyshire battled to 64-1, 206 behind Essex, after a rain-hit second day of the fixture at the County Ground.

Play did not begin until 1630 BST and Essex lasted only eight balls, adding just a single, before Ravi Bopara was lbw for 137 when one nipped back in.

Andre Nel and David Masters found plenty of movement and in the ninth over Australian opener Chris Rogers edged Nel low to Bopara at third slip.

Nel struck Jon Sadler with a sharply lifting ball but the batsmen held out.

Steve Stubbings was repeatedly beaten outside the off-stump by Masters, and also survived a confident lbw appeal, but he and Sadler survived for 19 overs.