Essex started the third day of their County Championship match with Kent at Canterbury still needing a further 218 runs to avoid the follow on having reached 174-3.

After Kent were eventually dismissed for 541, the visitors lost the early wicket of Paul Prichard for 14, when he dragged a delivery from Julian Thompson onto his off-stump, and his opening partner Paul Grayson for 32 when a lack of foot movement to an away swinger from Mark Ealham knocked back his off-stump.

The demise of Stuart Law for 29 left Essex in some disarray at 94- 3, the Australian having perished to a thumping delivery from Nin Patel through extra cover only to be beaten through the air.

However, obdurate resistance from Ian Flanagan together with an impressive captain's role by Ronnie Irani applied the necessary composure to the faltering inning and lifted Essex to a par score, although much application is still needed if they are to consolidate this solid foundation.

Left-hander Flanagan was allowed to engage his natural patient beginning, playing cautiously. This is the 19-year-old's fourth championship match of season and he played his most impressive innings in reaching his highest first team score of season, 30 not out.

So far he has not offered a chance although Kent's close fielders and bowler Patel did make a plea for a catch which the umpire turned down.

Flanagan supported Irani to a fine fourth-wicket partnership of 91 with Irani all too aggressively reaping runs on both sides of the wicket.

Two splendid drives in the same over off Thompson bought the 50 partnership and Irani reached his own half-century two overs later when he took successive boundaries from the same bowler.

His confident and emerging dominance has included 11 fours from 66 balls faced for unbeaten 61 with none of the six bowlers offering serious problems on a placid pitch.

When Kent resumed on 384-4 there was early encouragement when Symons was caught on the back foot with the batsmen having added only 10 runs.

Ricky Anderson dismissed Ealham for 80 in similar fashion. Matthew Flemming's stumps went for 17 runs and Essex were hopeful of concluding the Kent innings.

However, the last three wickets got 102 to leave Essex needing 392 to avoid the follow on.

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