Essex seem to be trying to keep the game alive! They declared at 202-8, 92 runs behind. That's pretty shrewd: 200 gives them a batting point, so they gained 4 bonus points from the match. Lancs also have 4 bonus points - 2 batting points for reaching 250 in their innings, and 2 bowling points for taking 8 wickets. Had Lancs taken a 9th wicket, they would have gained another bowling point, whereas Essex would have needed to reach 250 to get their second batting point.
There's is probably little more than another hour to play, so it is extremely unlikely that Lancs will score quickly enough to give themselves a cushion and take 10 Essex second innings wickets to win the match. However, a daring declaration by Lancs could lead to them losing. If that were to happen, Essex would be pretty much there so far as taking the County Championship is concerned.