Essex suffered a humbling defeat as they were beaten by an innings in three days by Northamptonshire.
Starting day three on 94-2, the visitors eventually fell nine runs short of the 216 they needed to make the home side bat again, despite a maiden Championship half-century from Rob Quiney.
The Australian and nightwatchman Maurice Chambers went out to the crease, and Quiney – 44 not out – soon passed 50, but after he fell for 56 – caught behind off the bowling of David Willey – Essex offered little resistence.
Chambers hung around for 65 balls for his three, Essex 120-4 when he fell, and although Ravi Bopara (41) did show some fight, only James Foster (11) and Graham Napier (13) made double figures.
Willey finished with five wickets, and there were two apiece for Andrew Hall and Steven Crook as Northants wrapped up a comfortable win.
Essex are without a Championship game in the next round of matches, with their next game coming against Hampshire, starting at Chelmsford on Monday April 29.
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