Ally Brown provided further evidence of his love for Essex bowling by powering Surrey to a four-wicket victory at The Oval.

The right-hander scored a magnificent unbeaten century as his side coasted to their 272 target with surprising ease.

He left his opponents feeling browned off with a total of 110, one which followed 109 when the two counties met at The Oval a couple of years ago and last summer's 79 in the match at Chelmsford.

This was probably the most impressive of those knocks, particularly as Surrey found themselves in deep trouble within minutes of resuming at 110-3.

Surrey lost their overnight pair for the addition of only three runs as Mark Ilott and Ashley Cowan each made an immediate impact.

Ilott struck in this second over when Ian Salisbury became an lbw victim pushing forward, and in the next Jason Ratcliffe edged to Darren Robinson at first slip to provide Cowan with his success.

With Surrey still 159 from their target, Essex must have fancied their chances of following up their victory against Warwickshire with another success.

However, Brown, first with Ben Hollioake and then Jonathan Batty, had other ideas. While Hollioake was content to play the supporting role, Brown raced to his 50 from 58 balls.

The pair put together a partnership of 87, of which Hollioake contributed 24, before Essex spirits were revived on the stroke of lunch.

That was when Hollioake was judged to have been caught behind off Ilott.

In the event that was to prove the last Essex success. As Batty dropped anchor, content to collect the occasional single and give as much of the strike as possible to his partner, Brown continued on his untroubled course.

Although he needed a further 90 deliveries to complete his second 50 and move into three figures, Brown never looked in the slightest difficulty, and an off-side boundary at the expense of Peter Such, his 12th, eventually signalling a deserved Surrey triumph.

Batty's share of an unbeaten stand of 72 in 25 overs was only 16, but with Brown in such fine form Batty had no need to take risks, nor did he.

Having carved out a first innings lead of 67, Essex would have been bitterly disappointed they did not press home the advantage to go on and win the game.

Within minutes of the match finishing, an unchanged team was announced for the championship clash against Yorkshire starting at Chelmsford tomorrow.

Those responsible for selecting the side, however, might not be so forgiving in the wake of another defeat.

Essex team: Irani (captain), Prichard, Robinson, Flanagan, S Law, Grayson, Hyam, Cowan, Ilott, Such and Grove.

Paul Prichard - his first innings contribution was not enough to stave off defeat for Essex

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