Essex, requiring 433 to win, reached 28 for 1 (Walter 134, Critchley 53, Potts 4-71) after Durham declared their second innings at 184 for 8 (Borthwick 71, Harmer 4-75, Porter 3-18). Essex now needs 405 more runs on what promises to be an intriguing final day.
Wicketkeeper Michael Pepper matched the Essex record for most dismissals in a Vitality County Championship match. Pepper, who took four catches in the first innings, added another four catches and a stumping in the second innings, equalling the county's best of nine dismissals in a match.
Earlier, Paul Walter notched the second century of his career, but Matthew Potts' exceptional fast bowling gave Durham a significant 248-run lead in the first innings. Despite this, Durham chose not to enforce the follow-on, and Jamie Porter continued his prolific season as Division One's leading wicket-taker with three wickets, bringing his tally to 32. Simon Harmer also contributed with four wickets before Durham declared.
Essex, set a target of 433 to win in a minimum of 107 overs, lost Nick Browne to Potts, ending the day at 28 for 1 with 405 runs needed to win.
Walter, limited to two Championship appearances this season due to a hyperextended toe, had helped rescue Essex alongside Matt Critchley the previous evening. Their 147-run partnership ended early on day three when Critchley was dismissed for failing to settle in the morning.
Walter continued to impress, reaching a century in 146 balls, faster than his previous century against Yorkshire. Potts, who had recently slowed his run-up without losing pace, was outstanding in the morning. He had taken 11 wickets in his last five matches, but his hopes of replacing James Anderson in the England Test team had dwindled.
Potts dismissed Browne and Jordan Cox before removing Pepper and Walter, achieving a season-best 4 for 71. Essex, reduced to 310 for 7, quickly lost their remaining wickets. Shane Snater was caught at cover, Harmer edged behind, and Eathan Bosch was caught at short third.
Durham's decision to bat again initially backfired as they stumbled to 11 for 2 and then 77 for 4, with Porter continuing his impressive form. Despite his faded England aspirations, Porter showed no less hunger for wickets, finding subtle movement to dismiss Alex Lees and Michael Jones early in the innings.
The pitch, previously a batting paradise, began to show variable bounce and turn, which Harmer and Critchley exploited. Harmer dismissed David Bedingham with a teasing delivery, while Critchley had first-innings centurion Ollie Robinson edge behind. Porter returned after tea to bowl Colin Ackermann.
Scott Borthwick's 88th first-class fifty provided some stability for Durham, but his innings ended at 71 when Harmer took his wicket, with Pepper securing his eighth catch of the match. Ben Raine fell two balls later, and Pepper's stumping of Bas de Leede brought the declaration.
Pepper's performance placed him alongside Kenneth Gibson, David East, and James Foster as the only Essex keepers to achieve nine dismissals in a match. Potts, with 1 for 9 from five overs, managed an early breakthrough, dismissing Browne as Durham made an early inroad into Essex’s chase.