ESSEX are on course to enter Twenty20 Cup Finals Day on a high after finishing day three of a feisty LV County Championship clash with Gloucestershire just 31 runs short of victory.An unbroken stand of 143 between Ravi Bopara (83 not out) and on-loan Kent batsman Neil Dexter (60 not out) has left Mark Pettini's men on the cusp of a fourth Division Two win of the season at Chelmsford.The partnership came despite an ugly argument after Essex claimed an extra half-hour in which to try and win the game.A win would extend the county's unbeaten run to 10 matches ahead of tomorrow's semi-final clash with Kent Spitfires at the Rose Bowl.Bopara and Dexter helped Essex recover from the dangerous position of 7-2 after both Jason Gallian and Varun Chopra perished early in the pursuit of 181 for victory.England man Bopara was again in imperious form and oozed class as he opened his account with two boundaries before treating the sun-soaked crowd to a delicious display of assorted sweetly-timed strokes on both sides of the wicket.Meanwhile Dexter, who has been struggling for runs, finally came good after a tentative start before gaining in confidence to show his obvious talent.Bopara has only once failed to reach 50 in his seven championship matches this summer and collected another half-century off 55 balls with nine fours.Dexter followed him to 50 off a more sedate 105 deliveries, hitting a six and five fours.Having been bowled out for a modest 184 earlier in the day, Gloucestershire were further frustrated as umpires Ian Gould and Nigel Cowley ordered them to remain on the field for an extra half-hour with Essex still needing 63.Visiting captain Jon Lewis protested, but the officials would not relent, ensuring a frosty end to the day's proceedings.A bitter end to the day saw Lewis engage in verbal spats with both the batsmen and the Ford County Ground crowd.Starting the day on 70-6, Gloucestershire's fortunes were enhanced when Gallian dropped Kadeer Ali off Graham Napier with the score on 81.James Foster and Ryan ten Doeschate also shelled difficult chances but once Ali (43) and Steve Snell (53) had been dismissed, the innings quickly subsided.Danish Kaneria was again the star, finishing with 5-53 - his 15th five-wicket haul in 37 matches for Essex.Seamer David Masters also impressed, recording figures of 3-37.