Paul Grayson had most to smile about as Essex squeezed a two-wicket victory against Middlesex at Chelmsford. After the visitors had amassed 255 for eight from their 50 overs, the Yorkshireman strode to the crease. His 74 from 73 deliveries, nine of which went to the boundary, was compiled with elegance rather than power and he looked all set to reach three figures before he was run out when sent back by Ronnie Irani. That dismissal brought to an end a fourth-wicket partnership that produced 52 in seven overs. Irani struck 26 in boundaries while making 46 from 37 balls, an innings which ended when he was caught in the deep. That left the stage for James Middlebrook, the county's new recruit from Yorkshire. While Barry Hyam, Mark Pettini and Andy Clarke all came and went, Middlebrook steered Essex to the win with 43 not out from 48 balls. Victory was achieved with ten deliveries to spare; Middlebrook gathered the winning runs with his sixth boundary. Earlier, Middlesex's top order also enjoyed themselves on a pitch and in conditions which made it hard work for the bowlers. Andy Strauss and Sven Koenig raised the century stand in the 23rd over. They went on to gather 126 before Essex gained their first success. Strauss went having made 72 and Koenig was out for 74, leaving Owais Shah to hit 51 from 52 balls. Ashley Cowan was the pick of the home bowlers with 2-49 in his ten overs