Ben Foakes kept Surrey afloat as he saved them from defeat against Essex at Chelmsford.

The wicketkeeper's obdurate 120 not out ensured they saw off the prospect of a fourth loss in five matches in Rothesay County Championship Division One, which would have seen the pre-season title favourites sinking into the relegation zone with just four matches remaining.

Foakes entered at the start of the final day – the third having been completely washed out by rain – with Surrey 51 for four, still needing 45 to avoid an innings defeat.

He lost Josh Blake (14) and Mahipal Lomror (11) with the deficit still not wiped out but 20-year-old Adam Thomas once again showed his excellent temperament and technique in making 33 out of a seventh-wicket partnership worth 52 which took up 14 overs.

And Foakes' staunchest ally proved to be all-rounder Tom Lawes (44) as they added 104. Any prospect of defeat was stamped out by Rahul Chahar (17 not out) contributing to another alliance worth 50 before the draw was agreed. Foakes went on to his second century of the season in a vigil of 292 minutes against his native county, having moved 11 years ago.

Foakes had been averaging 96 with the bat in three matches before suffering a freak muscle injury while having a bowl, putting him out from the end of April until late August. While his silky keeping skills were immediately on view, he made just 12 and one on his return against Nottinghamshire and followed that with a duck in the first innings against Essex. Sent into bat in difficult conditions, Surrey were dismissed for 183, grateful for Thomas (43) and Lawes (38) at least giving them some substance.

Dean Elgar's 113 – having just announced his retirement – looked set to give Essex a substantial lead but leg-spinner Chahar's six for 80 was responsible for keeping it under 100.

With the ball turning substantially and irregular bounce for seamers, saving the match looked beyond a Surrey side bereft of confidence but batting through to force a draw worth 11 precious points should benefit them greatly.

“It was a difficult pitch to bat on,” said Foakes. “Having been out for four months, I probably wasn't at my best going into the match but it was definitely one of my best hundreds.”

With just win from ten matches so far and a mere three points above the relegation zone, Surrey must rediscover their collective batting form soon. Over the past five matches they have gained just four out of 25 batting bonus points, not surprisingly losing three of those games, so it is no wonder they have slid into peril.

This week's game against Yorkshire - who start 12 points in front – takes on great significance, Surrey signing Indian seamer Auqib Nabi for the next three matches given all-rounder Jordan Clark has an Achilles tendon problem and Matthew Fisher may be required for England Test duty, leaving few other options available.

Beating Yorkshire and either Sussex or Glamorgan, the following two matches, would certainly relieve the pressure before their final match, a tough one against title-chasing Somerset at Taunton.

Rothesay County Championship Division One matches to come: Wednesday, September 2: Yorkshire (Kia Oval); Tuesday, September 8: Sussex (Hove); Tuesday, September 15: Glamorgan (Kia Oval); Thursday, September 24: Somerset (Taunton).

By Richard Spiller