Ryan Higgins says Middlesex need to right some wrongs on day three of their County Championship match at Essex.

Having dismissed the hosts for 304, they collapsed to 25-4 in barely seven overs.

And although Max Holden (30), Higgins (44) and Josh de Caires (29 not out) fought back in the middle order, Middlesex were all out for 179.

Essex then extended their lead to 229 by reaching 104-1 at the close and Higgins said: “It’s really important to put right what we got wrong today and back our game-plans tomorrow. 

"I think the thing tomorrow on this wicket is to make sure we keep them out there batting as long as we can to force their hand and make it hard for them to score runs. Then as the game goes on we can put pressure on them with the bat. 

“It’s going to be a tough ask to win this game, but I think if we can really bat well in the second innings and get as close as possible, maybe.

"But our first port of call in this division at the moment is to get a draw and that would be fantastic.”

De Caires ended the Essex innings to finish with 8-106 and earned praise from his teammate.

“It was fantastic bowling yesterday [from De Caires]. He was probably our most accurate bowler and got the most out of the surface," added Higgins. 

"I thought today [Simon] Harmer tried to do a little too much with the ball [for Essex] and it was really tough for the lefties especially. 

“But Joshie was unbelievable, one of those bowlers that guys haven’t seen a lot of – he hasn’t played much second XI cricket as a bowler, he’s played mainly as a batter. 

"His off-spin has come on so much this year. Facing him in the nets at the start of the season compared to now, it’s a different animal.

“I think it was just his ability to get the ball spinning and skid on. It’s difficult to know what your plan is against him because both sides of the bat are being challenged. Then to top that, his accuracy is just unbelievable."

But the Middlesex top order was then blown away by Jamie Porter and new-ball partner Sam Cook, to leave the visitors up against it.

And Porter finished with 6-34 and Cook claimed 3-43, with Higgins adding: “I thought we played Harmer quite well, but again we didn’t play the seamers as well and Porter continued his fine form against us.

"Hopefully the guys will be looking to put things right tomorrow, and how we play the seamers on this wicket. I did think they bowled outstandingly well."