A fifth-wicket stand of 154 stand between James Foster and Mark Pettini put Essex in a strong position only for Nathan Buck to fire Leicestershire back into contention with two late wickets on day one of their LV= County Championship match.
The Essex pair came together with the score at an uncertain 75 for four and proceeded to dominate the visiting attack before Pettini finally fell for 71.
Captain Foster was trapped lbw from the final ball of the day for 82 as the two dismissals, both from Buck, pegged the home side back to 254 for six at stumps.
WICKET | Buck gives County the edge with the penultimate ball of the day. Foster trapped leg before for excellent 82. Essex 254-6
— Leicestershire CCC (@leicsccc) May 4, 2014
Pettini hit nine fours in his 161-ball knock and Foster 10 in his innings, which came off 170 deliveries, and their partnership could scarcely have been better timed after Leicestershire had made some early breakthroughs.
Rob Taylor bowled Tom Westley for 15 and Buck, who finished with 3-64, removed fellow opener Jaik Mickleburgh for 27 when he chopped on.
In the next over Anthony Ireland made a double breakthrough to leave Essex in trouble.
Greg Smith and Ben Foakes both edged behind to wicketkeeper Ned Eckersley in the space of three balls and the visitors, still looking for their first win of the Division Two season after opening with two draws, had their tails up.
A lovely day for cricket, tickets on the gates from 10am for 11am start. Essex v @leicsccc who's coming to The E.C.G? pic.twitter.com/Cqb4G3qodq
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) May 4, 2014
Pettini and Foster combined with real effect, though, taking the score to 229 before the former was unable to get out the way of a Buck delivery which got good bounce and Angus Robson took a welcome catch at gully.
Kishen Velani joined Foster in the middle and was unbeaten on 18 when Leicestershire grabbed their sixth wicket.
Buck again was the man to get it, trapping Foster in front to ensure the visitors ended the day on a high.