Three late wickets from leg-spinner Danish Kaneria put Essex on top against Gloucestershire at Chelmsford.

The visitors struggled to 70-6 at stumps in their second innings thanks to Kaneria's 3-13 from 11 overs.

Gloucestershire had earlier restricted Essex to 279, a lead of four, thanks to fine bowling from Steve Kirby (5-60).

However, Kaneria - ably assisted by James Middlebrook (2-2) and David Masters (1-22) - turned the game in Essex's favour late in the day.

Kaneria could have easily added to his three scalps - Will Porterfield, Alex Gidman and Chris Taylor - had he enjoyed a greater degree of fortune.

Gloucestershire's problems were further compounded when Kadeer Ali was taken to hospital after a blow on the wrist from Graham Napier, but he returned to remain unbeaten on eight not out at stumps.

Essex began the day on 66-0, but soon lost five wickets in the space of seven overs as Kirby removed Ravi Bopara and Mark Pettini for ducks, while Vikram Banerjee dismissed Neil Dexter and Ryan ten Doeschate.

But a 79-run seventh-wicket partnership between wicketkeeper James Foster (57) and Middlebrook (41) helped Essex regain their composure in their innings.