Essex v Glamorgan: David Masters excels but hosts held up

David Masters took 5-68 to ensure promotion-chasing Essex claimed full bowling bonus points against Glamorgan.

But the hosts still have it all to do in order to force the vital win needed to keep alive their hopes of closing the gap on second-placed Northants.

Murray Goodwin (65) and Chris Cooke (67) were the main source of Essex's frustration as Glamorgan made 322.

Jaik Mickleburgh's 68 not out saw Essex close on 107-1, but they still trail by 215 with two days left.

Essex need the victory at Chelmsford, and a Northants loss against Kent, to have any real hope of playing in the top tier next season alongside already-promoted Lancashire, having started this round of games 21 points behind the second-placed side.

Masters' 28th first-class five-wicket haul was confirmed when he had Andrew Salter caught by Owais Shah for a 71-ball nine, which took almost an hour and a half.

And those minutes could prove costly for Essex, having already lost much of the first day to rain.

Match scorecard