Ben Foakes and James Foster steered Essex to a draw in the LV=County Championship Division Two match against Kent at Chelmsford where the home side ended on 166 for five having started their second innings 84 runs in arrears.
When Kent reduced their hosts to 24 for five, a first four-day win of the season appeared to be in the offing. However, Foakes and his captain had other ideas.
They both compiled well-constructed fifties during a partnership of 142 that spanned 48 overs. Foakes struck an unbeaten 86 while Foster was 52 not out at the close.
Foakes took 105 balls to reach a half-century that featured five boundaries - a tally he would subsequently double - while Foster faced 136 deliveries before arriving at the milestone as the pair gradually wore down Kent’s attack.
Mark Davies had set up hopes of Kent success when he produced a wonderful spell of seam bowling that brought four top-order wickets at a personal cost of six runs.
Five wickets fell in 22 balls as the Essex top order capitulated. Tom Westley was first to go, caught behind for 17 when Davies found the edge.
Without addition to the team score of 20, Ravi Bopara completed a pair when dismissed by Davies for the second time in the match. Facing his fourth delivery, the England man pushed at a lifting delivery and Sam Northeast took a tumbling catch at gully.
Davies then struck twice in three balls during his next over, having Mark Pettini and Ryan ten Doeschate held in the slips, and the total was still on 24 when opener Jaik Mickleburgh departed.
Mickleburgh had batted 49 minutes for three when Charlie Shreck, bowling from the River End, was rewarded for a fine spell with an edge through to Geraint Jones.
Still 60 runs behind and with a minimum of 61 overs to be bowled, the home side were staring at defeat. But Foakes and Foster rebuilt with sound technique and resourceful application before the captains eventually shook hands on a draw with 13 overs still available.
At the start of the day, Darren Stevens added the nine runs he required to reach his hundred, the fourth time in his last five championship innings at Chelmsford that the all-rounder has recorded a century.
Kent - whose eight-point haul was one more than their hosts’ - added a further 82 runs for the loss of five wickets, including Stevens for 136, to reach 296.