A brilliant unbeaten 99 off 66 balls by Ryan ten Doeschate just failed to earn Essex victory as they tied a thrilling Pro40 game against Leicestershire.

Ten Doeschate hit 12 runs off the last three balls to take Essex to 255-8 in reply to Leicestershire's 255-6.

Essex looked set for defeat when they needed 16 to win off the last over.

But after David Masters had been run out, Ten Doeschate struck Dillon du Preez for six and then four, but could only manage two off the last ball.

In the Foxes' innings, there were three half-century makers with opener Matthew Boyce making a career-best limited overs score of 59 off 65 balls.

Despite 63 off 76 balls from Jason Gallian Essex looked out of it at 99-5 after 20 overs.

However, a seventh wicket stand of 61 in eight overs between South African-born Holland international Ten Doeschate and James Middlebrook got them back into the match before the former's spectacular finale.