A big 13 overs remaining in the day at Chelmsford.
Hampshire really need to see them out without loss to have a chance, you feel - 299 their win target.
That's now 298 after Felix Organ takes a single off an otherwise uneventful first over.
But Simon Harmer has the ball now...
WICKET - Jennings c Bracey b Higgins 94
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 167-3
Keaton Jennings goes just six short of what would have been his third ton of the summer.
Wicketkeeper James Bracey stands up to Ryan Higgins - and Jennings obliges with the thinnest of nicks.
Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features
It is still a return to his early season red-ball form for Jennings.
He began this season with back-to-back tons, 110 and 228 in successive matches, to add to the 132 in his previous Championship innings in the Rose Match last July, prior to his season being ended by injury.
His next four Championship innings were then 4,0, 1 and 6, prior to another shorter injury absence. But he has now bounced back with a 94. Feast or famine, clearly!
WICKET - Alsop c Du Plooy b Reece 44
Derbyshire 551-8 dec v Sussex 122-3
Tom Alsop and Mohammad Rizwan were going along nicely for Sussex, approaching a century partnership.
But their third-wicket stand ends at 95 as Leus du Plooy takes a tidy catch off Luis Reece's bowling to dismiss Alsop for 44.
That reinforces Derbyshire's hold on matters at Hove.
Second scalp for Michael Hogan
Azhar c Cullen b Hogan 42 (Worcestershire 271 & 98-2), Glamorgan 139
Michael Hogan makes a second breakthrough for Glamorgan in Worcestershire's second innings as he has Azhar Ali caught behind.
Maybe the bat episode had weighed more heavily than we thought on him, as he had become rather becalmed
Spinning around at seam-less Chelmsford
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163
Glenn Speller
BBC Essex sport
A fine effort from Essex to recover from 51-5 to 223
all out with valuable contributions from Adam Rossington and Simon Harmer.
Liam Dawson’s seven wickets show the ball is still doing
plenty for the spinners, in fact all 10 wickets in the Essex second innings
went to spin.
It now means 18 wickets have fallen since a seamer claimed
one!
Slow progress at Wantage Road
Northants 451, Warwickshire 26-0 (23 overs)
Warwickshire's reply to Northamptonshire's all-out total of 451 is yet to fully ignite.
Just one boundary so far in 21 overs. 10 maidens.
Tight bowling or cautious batting? Has all the overnight and morning rain altered the conditions?
Either way, conversation in the commentary box has long since turned to favourite Dad's Army episodes - and suchlike. Very entertaining!
ESSEX ALL OUT FOR 223
Harmer b Dawson 61 & S Cook c Brown b Dawson 0
Seven wickets for Liam Dawson, an excellent effort from the Hampshire spinner, but it's Essex in the driving seat at Chelmsford.
The final two wickets come off successive deliveries as Dawson bowls Simon Harmer for an excellent 61 - the Essex man just pipping Adam Rossington as innings top scorer - before last man Sam Cook is caught first ball.
Dawson finishes with 7-68 but Essex lead by 298.
Another wicket for Notts
Davies lbw b Paterson 0 (Notts 551-8 dec, Middlesex 41-3)
Dane Paterson strikes again as he removes Jack Davies for a six-ball duck.
The battle of the Division Two top two is very much going the way of the leaders so far.
Max Holden comes in to join Mark Stoneman (31).
Kent digging in at The Oval
Surrey 673-7 dec v Kent 79-2
Much has been made of Kent's inexperienced and, fair to say, somewhat weakened bowling attack in the County Championship this summer.
But they do have experience in the batting ranks, not least skipper Jack Leaning (12no off 35) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (20no off 67 balls).
After the departures of Ben Compton and Joe Denly, the duo are doing a solid job of keeping the Surrey bowlers at bay at The Oval and preventing this becoming as one-sided as it had threatened to.
Change of bat for Azhar Ali
Worcestershire 27 1 & 87-1, Glamorgan 139
We've so far spent this summer hearing constant stories about the ball being changed.
Well we've had the flip side of that today at New Road where they've had to change a bat.
Azhar Ali's bat, to be precise.
Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features
Umpires Tom Lungley and Steve O'Shaughnessy came together for a brief consultation, it was thought, to inspect the ball.
But they instead ordered Azhar to change his bat as the sponsor's logo was apparently marking the ball.
Thankfully, the Pakistan Test player had another willow on site - and he is so far doing quite well with it, having moved on to 41 not out.
Seven of which have come in boundaries, while Jake Libby has hit five fours in his 36
50 for Simon Harmer
Essex 238 & 206-8 v Hampshire 163
Eight wickets for Simon Harmer - and now a 50 to go with it. Not having a bad match, is he?
And just to put the cherry on the icing he brings up the half-century with a big six off Felix Organ.
Two early wickets for Nottinghamshire as Middlesex wobble in pursuit of the hosts' massive 551-8 declared.
Sam Dobson is trapped in front by Dane Pattinson and, three overs later, he is then followed back to the hutch by Stevie Eskinazi, who is clean bowled by Luke Fletcher.
Post update
Essex 238 & 191-8 v Hampshire 163
Bit naughty there from James Fuller as he spots Aaron Beard ever so slightly out of his crease and takes aim at the stumps after a defensive stroke from the batter.
Hits Beard on the legs and he gives Fuller a stare - can't blame him.
Five-wicket haul for Dawson
Here's that wicket. Simon Harmer will claim the headlines but Liam Dawson has been almost as impressive for Essex's opponents.
Shane Snater unable to replicate his first-innings heroics for Essex.
It's still a decent 21 for the Essex number nine, mind.
But a little chip shot is misjudged and Ian Holland just about makes up the ground with a diving catch right before the ball hits the surface.
That's 5-55 for Liam Dawson as all of the day's wickets (12) continue to fall to spinners.
WICKET - Bohannon b Payne 34
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 124-2
Josh Bohannon is out at Bristol as David Payne makes a second breakthrough for Gloucestershire.
The hosts will be pleased to see the back of him for just 34 after the career-best double century he chiselled againast Gloucestershire at Old Trafford in April.
Steven Croft comes in to join Keaton Jennings, who is on 76.
Post update
Essex 238 & 181-7 v Hampshire 163
Back under way at Chelmsford where Hampshire's chief tormentors Simon Harmer and Shane Snater are piling more misery on the visitors.
Snater's 71 rescued Essex's first innings and Harmer's 8-46 ripped through Hampshire in reply.
At seven wickets down in the hosts' second innings, the pair have come together, with Harmer up to 40no and Snater on 16. Essex lead by 256, a daunting cushion.
WICKET - Denly b Worrall 38
Sussex 673-7 dec v Kent 55-2
Breakthrough for Surrey.
Joe Denly got away with one a little when a thickish outside edge went to the boundary, having just flown wide of the slip cordon.
No such luck the next ball as Dan Worrall thumps a straight ball down and it smashes through Denly's attempted defence and into the stumps.
Live Reporting
Ged Scott and Michael Beardmore
All times stated are UK
Post update
Surrey 673-7 v Kent 116-2
Ooh, let-off for Jack Leaning who takes a swipe at a Tom Lawes delivery and gets a big edge that flies just over second slip for four.
Kent have batted smartly and sensibly thus far but that was an escape.
Post update
Hampshire begin second innings
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163 & 1-0
A big 13 overs remaining in the day at Chelmsford.
Hampshire really need to see them out without loss to have a chance, you feel - 299 their win target.
That's now 298 after Felix Organ takes a single off an otherwise uneventful first over.
But Simon Harmer has the ball now...
WICKET - Jennings c Bracey b Higgins 94
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 167-3
Keaton Jennings goes just six short of what would have been his third ton of the summer.
Wicketkeeper James Bracey stands up to Ryan Higgins - and Jennings obliges with the thinnest of nicks.
It is still a return to his early season red-ball form for Jennings.
He began this season with back-to-back tons, 110 and 228 in successive matches, to add to the 132 in his previous Championship innings in the Rose Match last July, prior to his season being ended by injury.
His next four Championship innings were then 4,0, 1 and 6, prior to another shorter injury absence. But he has now bounced back with a 94. Feast or famine, clearly!
WICKET - Alsop c Du Plooy b Reece 44
Derbyshire 551-8 dec v Sussex 122-3
Tom Alsop and Mohammad Rizwan were going along nicely for Sussex, approaching a century partnership.
But their third-wicket stand ends at 95 as Leus du Plooy takes a tidy catch off Luis Reece's bowling to dismiss Alsop for 44.
That reinforces Derbyshire's hold on matters at Hove.
Second scalp for Michael Hogan
Azhar c Cullen b Hogan 42 (Worcestershire 271 & 98-2), Glamorgan 139
Michael Hogan makes a second breakthrough for Glamorgan in Worcestershire's second innings as he has Azhar Ali caught behind.
Maybe the bat episode had weighed more heavily than we thought on him, as he had become rather becalmed
Spinning around at seam-less Chelmsford
Essex 238 & 223 v Hampshire 163
Glenn Speller
BBC Essex sport
A fine effort from Essex to recover from 51-5 to 223 all out with valuable contributions from Adam Rossington and Simon Harmer.
Liam Dawson’s seven wickets show the ball is still doing plenty for the spinners, in fact all 10 wickets in the Essex second innings went to spin.
It now means 18 wickets have fallen since a seamer claimed one!
Slow progress at Wantage Road
Northants 451, Warwickshire 26-0 (23 overs)
Warwickshire's reply to Northamptonshire's all-out total of 451 is yet to fully ignite.
Just one boundary so far in 21 overs. 10 maidens.
Tight bowling or cautious batting? Has all the overnight and morning rain altered the conditions?
Either way, conversation in the commentary box has long since turned to favourite Dad's Army episodes - and suchlike. Very entertaining!
ESSEX ALL OUT FOR 223
Harmer b Dawson 61 & S Cook c Brown b Dawson 0
Seven wickets for Liam Dawson, an excellent effort from the Hampshire spinner, but it's Essex in the driving seat at Chelmsford.
The final two wickets come off successive deliveries as Dawson bowls Simon Harmer for an excellent 61 - the Essex man just pipping Adam Rossington as innings top scorer - before last man Sam Cook is caught first ball.
Dawson finishes with 7-68 but Essex lead by 298.
Another wicket for Notts
Davies lbw b Paterson 0 (Notts 551-8 dec, Middlesex 41-3)
Dane Paterson strikes again as he removes Jack Davies for a six-ball duck.
The battle of the Division Two top two is very much going the way of the leaders so far.
Max Holden comes in to join Mark Stoneman (31).
Kent digging in at The Oval
Surrey 673-7 dec v Kent 79-2
Much has been made of Kent's inexperienced and, fair to say, somewhat weakened bowling attack in the County Championship this summer.
But they do have experience in the batting ranks, not least skipper Jack Leaning (12no off 35) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (20no off 67 balls).
After the departures of Ben Compton and Joe Denly, the duo are doing a solid job of keeping the Surrey bowlers at bay at The Oval and preventing this becoming as one-sided as it had threatened to.
Change of bat for Azhar Ali
Worcestershire 27 1 & 87-1, Glamorgan 139
We've so far spent this summer hearing constant stories about the ball being changed.
Well we've had the flip side of that today at New Road where they've had to change a bat.
Azhar Ali's bat, to be precise.
Umpires Tom Lungley and Steve O'Shaughnessy came together for a brief consultation, it was thought, to inspect the ball.
But they instead ordered Azhar to change his bat as the sponsor's logo was apparently marking the ball.
Thankfully, the Pakistan Test player had another willow on site - and he is so far doing quite well with it, having moved on to 41 not out.
Seven of which have come in boundaries, while Jake Libby has hit five fours in his 36
50 for Simon Harmer
Essex 238 & 206-8 v Hampshire 163
Eight wickets for Simon Harmer - and now a 50 to go with it. Not having a bad match, is he?
And just to put the cherry on the icing he brings up the half-century with a big six off Felix Organ.
The Essex lead is up to 281, big favourites now.
Notts make early inroads
Notts 551-8 dec, Middlesex 32-2
Two early wickets for Nottinghamshire as Middlesex wobble in pursuit of the hosts' massive 551-8 declared.
Sam Dobson is trapped in front by Dane Pattinson and, three overs later, he is then followed back to the hutch by Stevie Eskinazi, who is clean bowled by Luke Fletcher.
Post update
Essex 238 & 191-8 v Hampshire 163
Bit naughty there from James Fuller as he spots Aaron Beard ever so slightly out of his crease and takes aim at the stumps after a defensive stroke from the batter.
Hits Beard on the legs and he gives Fuller a stare - can't blame him.
Five-wicket haul for Dawson
Here's that wicket. Simon Harmer will claim the headlines but Liam Dawson has been almost as impressive for Essex's opponents.
WICKET - Snater c Holland b Dawson 21
Essex 238 & 186-8 v Hampshire 163
Shane Snater unable to replicate his first-innings heroics for Essex.
It's still a decent 21 for the Essex number nine, mind.
But a little chip shot is misjudged and Ian Holland just about makes up the ground with a diving catch right before the ball hits the surface.
That's 5-55 for Liam Dawson as all of the day's wickets (12) continue to fall to spinners.
WICKET - Bohannon b Payne 34
Gloucestershire 337, Lancashire 124-2
Josh Bohannon is out at Bristol as David Payne makes a second breakthrough for Gloucestershire.
The hosts will be pleased to see the back of him for just 34 after the career-best double century he chiselled againast Gloucestershire at Old Trafford in April.
Steven Croft comes in to join Keaton Jennings, who is on 76.
Post update
Essex 238 & 181-7 v Hampshire 163
Back under way at Chelmsford where Hampshire's chief tormentors Simon Harmer and Shane Snater are piling more misery on the visitors.
Snater's 71 rescued Essex's first innings and Harmer's 8-46 ripped through Hampshire in reply.
At seven wickets down in the hosts' second innings, the pair have come together, with Harmer up to 40no and Snater on 16. Essex lead by 256, a daunting cushion.
WICKET - Denly b Worrall 38
Sussex 673-7 dec v Kent 55-2
Breakthrough for Surrey.
Joe Denly got away with one a little when a thickish outside edge went to the boundary, having just flown wide of the slip cordon.
No such luck the next ball as Dan Worrall thumps a straight ball down and it smashes through Denly's attempted defence and into the stumps.
That's both Kent openers gone.