STEWART Walters fell two runs short of securing Glamorgan's first century of the season but the Welsh county nevertheless built a useful second-innings lead on the third day of their LV= County Championship Division Two clash with Essex at Cardiff.

Walters made 98 to follow up his first-innings 67, while captain Mark Wallace struck an unbeaten 61 as Glamorgan reached the close on 303 for six, a lead of 189 going into the final day.

Essex resumed this morning on 343 for nine but their first innings lasted just three more balls.

Graham Napier added two runs before he edged Michael Hogan to Jim Allenby at slip, giving the bowler career-best figures of six for 70.

Essex finished on 345, missing out on a fourth batting bonus point, but held a useful 114-run first-innings lead.

In a dramatic start to the Glamorgan second innings David Masters struck with his second ball to remove Ben Wright.

Will Bragg and Walters rallied in a bid to reduce the deficit with Glamorgan reaching the 50-run mark in the 12th over.

Bragg looked in good touch until he went lbw to Ravi Bopara on 42 to leave Glamorgan 65 for two.

And before lunch Marcus North became Master's second victim, the bowler breaking through the Australian's defence.

Glamorgan reached lunch on 80 for three and with the contest very much in the balance, but Walters and Murray Goodwin combined after the break to put the hosts in the driving seat.

They wiped out Essex's lead in the 40th over and brought up their 50 partnership before rain heralded an early tea at 157 for three.

Essex fought back briefly in the evening session as Glamorgan slumped from 165 for three to 184 for five with the loss of Goodwin and Allenby.

Goodwin fell eight short of his second half-century of the season, caught behind off Reece Topley, before Allenby was bowled by Masters for 11.

Much depended on Walters and the out-of-form Wallace if Glamorgan were to leave Essex a challenging run chase.

Glamorgan's lead was out to 120 when slow left-armer Tim Phillips snared the important wicket of Walters, who edged behind, leaving the batsman agonisingly short of his century.

But Wallace, who reached his first half-century of the season from 90 balls, and Graham Wagg (32 not out) added 69 for the seventh wicket as the hosts reached stumps with their tails up.