Essex recorded their first win of the season in the County Championship when they beat Leicestershire by 48 runs at Grace Road but only after a brave effort from the home side.

With Leicester teetering on 145-5 at the start of play Essex seemed poised for a quick victory, but were forced to graft until the final session.

Despite the slog, head coach Graham Gooch was relieved to get that first win.

"It's great to get off the mark and is a confidence booster for the team," he said.

"We bowled pretty well throughout and obviously the first innings partnership between James Middlebrook and Andre Adams was a superb effort and helped us to recover from a difficult position."

The morning session saw just 85 runs and one wicket as Paul Nixon fell LBW to James Middlebrook for 30.

But after the interval Ottis Gibson upped the tempo as Andre Adams was forced out of the Essex attack with an injury.

John Sadler's diligent 95 and Phil DeFreitas's support were removed by Darren Gough and Graham Napier, but Gibson remained in place and pushed his side close to their unlikely target.

Only a suicidal run-out after the tea interval removed the West Indian.

Published Monday July 26, 2004