Tom Westley (57) and Ravi Bopara (61) made half-centuries but lacked support from the rest of their top order.
Just before tea, visiting captain Mark Cosgrove removed Bopara, chopping one of his medium pacers on to the stumps.
Bad light brought play to an early end with Essex on 266-9 - Charlie Shreck (4-79) the pick of the bowlers.

The alleged attack on another woman took place in Malton Crescent, North Shields, on Friday at about 13:00 GMT.
Simonik Da Costa, 41, of Charlotte Street, Wallsend, was also charged with common assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
She was remanded in custody and will appear before North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The injured woman was taken to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and was said to be in a stable condition.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
"My thoughts are with everyone involved in this tragic incident, and especially with the friends and families of the six people who lost their lives in what is another sad day for Glasgow and Scotland."
Prime Minister David Cameron
"I'm being kept fully briefed on the major incident in Glasgow. My thoughts are with the families of those involved and the emergency services."
Labour leader Ed Miliband
"Terrible news from Glasgow - my thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific accident."
Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael
"I share Scotland's deep shock at the horrible events in Glasgow this afternoon. On the eve of the festive period, these are unimaginable scenes in one of the busiest parts of our largest city."
Church of Scotland Moderator John Chalmers
"The news from the city centre of Glasgow just a few days before Christmas is simply devastating. For the second year in a row Glaswegians will have to dig deep into their reserves of compassion and sympathy as they support the families of those who have been killed and injured today."
Glasgow Archbishop Philip Tartaglia
"The circumstances could hardly be more tragic. I would ask any person of faith to pray for those who have died and their relatives and those who have been injured."
Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson
"This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, particularly the families of those who have lost their lives."
Glasgow Lord Provost Sadie Docherty
"This is shocking and upsetting. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this terrible incident."
Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy
"People in Glasgow and across the whole of Scotland will be mourning this loss of life so close to Christmas. No words will be able to do justice to the pain the families involved will be feeling this evening."
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson
"This is a terrible tragedy, right in the heart of Scotland's biggest city. No-one expects that ordinary people, out to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, would fail to make it home.

Kate Richardson-Walsh and Helen Richardson-Walsh will compete at their fourth Olympics, while Crista Cullen and Alex Danson will be at their third.
Striker Lily Owsley, 21, who won hockey's rising star award last year, will make her Games debut.
Barry Middleton has been named in the GB men's squad for the fourth time.
The 16-strong squad also includes Nick Catlin, Dan Fox, Iain Lewers and Harry Martin, all of whom were part of the squad that finished fourth in London.
GB women, who won the EuroHockey Championships in London in August 2015, came fifth in the six-team Champions Trophy in London this month, while the men finished fourth.
The Rio Games run from 5 to 21 August.
Giselle Ansley, Sophie Bray, Crista Cullen, Alex Danson, Maddie Hinch, Hannah Macleod, Shona McCallin, Lily Owsley, Sam Quek, Helen Richardson-Walsh, Kate Richardson-Walsh, Susannah Townsend, Georgie Twigg, Laura Unsworth, Hollie Webb, Nicola White.
Reserves: Joanna Leigh, Eleanor Watton, Kirsty Mackay.
David Ames, Alastair Brogdon, Nicholas Catlin, David Condon, Adam Dixon, Daniel Fox, Mark Gleghorne, Michael Hoare, Ashley Jackson, Iain Lewers, Harry Martin, Barry Middleton, George Pinner, Ian Sloan, Samuel Ward, Henry Weir.
Reserves: James Bailey, Simon Mantell, Dan Shingles.
Division Two leaders Essex made a faltering start as Leicestershire's bowlers restricted them with wickets throughout the opening day.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
A woman has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing in North Tyneside.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Politicians, religious and civic leaders give their reaction to the bin lorry crash that killed six people in central Glasgow.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Eight of the women's team who won a bronze medal at London 2012 have been named in the Great Britain hockey squad for this summer's Olympics in Rio.