Mark Pettini fell eight runs short of his first County Championship century of the season as Essex took control on the third day against Glamorgan.

The Essex captain top-scored as one of four of his side's batsmen to pass 50 in a total of 376 all out, giving them a first-innings lead of 244.

Jason Gallian, Varun Chopra and James Foster also posted half-centuries.

Glamorgan reached stumps at 35 for one in their second innings reply to leave them still 209 runs behind.

However, there were some encouraging performances for Glamorgan with Dean Cosker and Robert Croft claiming nine of the 10 Essex wickets.

Cosker finished with five for 81 in 23 overs, his fourth five-wicket haul of his career.

Resuming on their overnight total of 54 without loss, Gallian and Chopra took Essex into a first-innings lead surpassing Glamorgan's 132 all out.

Essex lost their third wicket in the fourth over after lunch when Gallian, dropped on 48 at slip, was trapped in front by teenager James Harris for 73 as Glamorgan gained their first bonus point of the match leaving the visitors on 155 for three.

Foster made his 50 from 74 balls, but quick wickets soon fell as Essex tried to get up to 400 as quickly as possible.

A four-ball spell when the big-hitting Graham Napier hit Cosker for three consecutive sixes at the start of an over before being caught on the boundary attempting a fourth summed up the day.

Glamorgan were left with nine overs to face but lost Gareth Rees, who edged Napier's first ball behind to leave Glamorgan 21 for one in the sixth over.