Billy Godleman hit his third century of the summer, but Derbyshire go into Day Four versus Essex 152 runs behind with five wickets in hand following-on.
Godleman’s seventh red-ball century for the Club came from 151 balls, but he was out three balls later without adding to his 100, after his side had been forced to follow-on having been bowled out for 165 in their first innings, with Graham Napier picking up 4-28.
Wayne Madsen, meanwhile, became the first man to reach 1,000 runs in Division Two this season – his fourth successive season with 1,000 plus first-class runs – before eventually falling for 37 as Derbyshire ended the day on 213-5, trailing by 152 runs.
Day Three got off to a good start as Alex Mellor (44) and Matt Critchley (36) knocked three fours in the first eight balls. Mellor, however, fell for 44, before Critchley was out shortly after for 36, as Derbyshire were dismissed for 165, at which time Essex enforced the follow-on with a lead of 365.
Derbyshire’s opening pair of Godleman and Ben Slater made a solid start second time around adding 75, before Slater (29) was caught at slip by Westley off Napier.
Godleman continued on his way and again shared a sizable partnership of 76, this time with Hughes (23), as he made his way to a 151-ball century – the 12th of his first-class career.
He could, however, only last another three balls, before the quick-fire dismissals of Madsen (37) and Neil Broom (13) meant that Derbyshire were reduced to 213-5 at stumps, still trailing by 152 runs.
