Chris Read and Steven Mullaney shared a 101-run partnership to annul fears of a Nottinghamshire follow-on at Trent Bridge.

The Essex attack had Notts on the ropes at 88-6 after batting failures from Mark Wagh (10), Samit Patel (12) and Ali Brown (0) before Mullaney and Read set about orchestrating a resurrection of fortunes.

Mullaney was caught at slip for 53 and Read followed soon after edging a drive to wicket keeper Mark Foster.

Paul Franks struck two sixes over mid-wicket at the expense of David Masters but found Ryan ten Doeschate at mid-on having made a cameo contribution of 23.

“The partnership between Chris Read and Steven Mullaney was important to us because if the follow-on was there then I’m sure they would have put us back in,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“Now Essex have a chance to establish a lead and I would imagine that they’ll look to put us in with a lead of around 330. If that’s the case then we have to ensure that the worst result we have to endure is a draw and regardless of that, we need to redeem ourselves with a more accomplished performance on the final day.

“We’re off the pace in this game because our batting has been loose and the bowling hasn’t quite been there.

“We need to demonstrate more discipline in our approach and produce some fight on the final day.”

Essex will resume on day four with a 264-run lead having reached 152-2 at the close. England hopeful Ravi Bopara is unbeaten on 57.