David Brown and Marcus North both made unbeaten half-centuries to steer Gloucestershire out of trouble in their match against Division Two leaders Worcestershire.

Brown (73 not out) and North (67 not out) held their nerve to ensure the away team went in on 225 for five at the end of the second session.

Kabir Ali had earlier added the wicket of Alex Gidman (11) to the two he had taken in the morning.

Essex took only 54 overs to bowl bottom side Glamorgan out at Southend.

Matthew Wright, Ravi Bopara, Danish Kaneria and David Masters took six wickets between them in the afternoon session to bowl the visitors out for just 139.

Riki Wessels (63 not out) and Lance Klusener (60 not out) put on 96 to leave Northamptonshire 247 for three at tea against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.

David Sales was the only wicket of the afternoon when he fell to Charl Langeveldt for 34.

HD Ackerman scored 56 not out to help Leicestershire along to 121 for four at tea against Warwickshire at Grace Road.

Paul Nixon made 35 before being bowled by Neil Carter while Jim Allenby was the only other wicket in the second session, falling to veteran spinner Ian Salisbury.