HEAD coach Ottis Gibson lauded the fight shown by Yorkshire in their narrow one-wicket home defeat to Essex in the LV= County Championship division one.

Shane Snater - 65 not out from 51 balls - hit the winning runs at Headingley Stadium, as Essex chased 162 on day three, with Yorkshire needing just one wicket to secure a tie.

Having suffered a 91-runs first-innings deficit, Gibson hailed Yorkshire's character to take the match to the brink.

“Ben Coad (69) gave us a real lifeline with that innings.

"We felt anything above 150, we were really in the game - as it nearly proved.

“It’s frustrating to have lost, but I like the way the guys fought. We never gave it up at any stage.

“Steve Patterson (5-46) bowled fantastic. Over the course of his career, he would have been in similar situations to that.

"He knew how to call on his experience, and he did a fantastic job.

“I hope he and Coady with the job that they did were a lesson to the youngsters in the team.”

George Hill bowled Ben Allison with Essex at 121-7, but the umpire called a no ball.

“In the intensity and pressure of the game, these things happen." reflected Gibson.

"When it happens to you, it’s just unfortunate. But it’s never something you will point a finger for.”

Yorkshire, who are sixth in division one, travel to second-placed Surrey for their penultimate Championship match of the season on Tuesday (10.30am).