Essex boss Paul Grayson knows that a win is vital as Essex move into a dominant position against Gloucestershire on day three of their Championship match at Chelmsford.
The Eagles are looking for their first win in the four-day format since April and took a commanding 317 run lead after the first innings.
If his side are to mount pressure on the top two, Grayson admits that Essex must capitalise on their position.
He said: "The guys have played really well for three days so it is all about using where we are and pushing on.
"If we can get this win and then go to Derbyshire next week and win there then things can turn around quickly. They are not in the best of form so if we can bat and bowl like we did in the first two days here then we will have a good chance.
"Our four-day cricket has actually been pretty good this year. Rain has affected the games when we have been in strong positions and we have only lost two all year.
"One of those was against Hampshire where, to be honest, we didn't play very well at all. But if you can get back-to-back wins then you can shoot up the table.
"We have still got the top two to play at home and we are almost back to full strength with our bowling attack so we are looking good."
