Nottinghamshire slipped to their second defeat of the Specsavers County Championship season, going down by 8 wickets to Essex at Chelmsford.

The home side eased to their victory target of 105 midway through the third afternoon, with Tom Westley scoring 49 and Alastair Cook was undefeated on 40.

Earlier, Notts had been bowled out for 158 in their second innings, undone chiefly by the off-spin of Simon Harmer, who claimed figures of six for 60.

Resuming from their overnight position of 90 for six, with a lead of only 36, the visitors battled away for half an hour before losing the wicket of Chris Nash.

The experienced right-hander had looked comfortable until deflecting Harmer’s off-spin into the hands of Dan Lawrence at leg slip for 32.

Tom Moores had been watchful, hitting only two boundaries in his 71-minute stay, before being drawn forward and stumped by Robbie White for 22.

Jamie Porter took the final two wickets to fall, having Luke Fletcher caught at second slip for 15, before clean-bowling Stuart Broad for nine.

Zak Chappell, on debut, remained unbeaten on two.

For Notts to have any chance at all, then early breakthroughs were essential and they were handed a bizarre gift immediately.

Matt Carter took the first over and Nick Browne pushed an easy single. Third delivery; Alastair Cook clipped the ball straight to backward square leg, where Fletcher was fielding.

Browne, who had backed up a long way, set off running from the non-striker's end and was found wanting after being sent back as Fletcher executed a direct hit, with bowler Carter gathering the ball, as the stumps broke for good measure.

Lunch was taken on 18 for one and the home side had to survive a number of close calls, including one very confident lbw shout against Cook from Fletcher’s bowling.

Westley wasted very few opportunities to score, especially with anything drifting onto his pads, but narrowly missed out on a well-deserved milestone.

On 49 Westley pulled a delivery from Samit Patel straight into the hands of Joe Clarke at midwicket.

Dan Lawrence arrived in the middle with only 19 runs required and safely accompanied Cook as the winning runs were scored.

Nottinghamshire collected only three bonus points from the match and now head off to the Isle of Wight, where they will face Hampshire in their next Specsavers County Championship match, beginning on Monday (20 May 2019).

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