Smith just in time for Essex

Greg Smith lifted Essex to a dramatic victory over Glamorgan with two balls left of Friday night's NatWest T20 Blast clash under the floodlights at Chelmsford.

Five were needed from the final over and the scores were tied when Smith hoisted Jim Allenby for six into the River End to seal victory for the hosts after Jesse Ryder's quickfire 30, Tom Westley's 48 and 46 from Ben Foakes had set up the chase of 190.

Glamorgan set a fast early pace, with Jacques Rudolph and captain Allenby posting half-centuries. In a sign of what was to come, Glamorgan, put into bat after losing the toss, started brightly to pass 50 inside six overs. South African left-hander Rudolph eventually holed out to long-off from the bowling of Ryder.

Essex, who were missing players through a combination of injury, England call-ups and captain Ryan ten Doeschate playing in the IPL, fought back with another quick wicket in the same over. Ryder struck again with his final ball as Foakes held a fine catch at midwicket to dismiss Mark Wallace for a duck.

But captain Allenby soon smashed a couple of sixes - one into the River Can - as, with support from Stewart Walters, the Welsh county headed into the final four overs on 153.

Allenby reached 68 before he was bowled by Reece Topley and then Walters went on 36, with Chris Cooke following to Matt Salisbury's next delivery as Essex finally made some late headway.

Essex's reply began well as Ryder smashed a huge six on to the roof of the overlooking flats at the Hayes Close End. But Glamorgan got an early breakthrough when acting captain Mark Pettini edged Michael Hogan, just back from Australia, to Wallace.

Essex were 44 for 2 after Ryder went for another big hit, this time off Will Owen, and was caught on the boundary by Walters. But Foakes and Westley kept Essex's run chase together at just over 10 an over with a fluid combination of boundaries and sixes to reach 97 at the half-way stage.

The partnership was ended in the 13th over when Westley was caught on the midwicket boundary.

Wicketkeeper Foster drove Allenby for 24 off the 15th over, two over the rope, before he was caught at third man off Hogan for a rapid 32 and Essex were 160 for 4.

Foakes was bowled by Dean Cosker in the 18th over, but Smith then delivered a four followed by a six straight back over bowler Andrew Slater. But Kishen Velani host his stumps to Hogan, leaving five needed off the final over.