Sussex ended another hard fought day marginally in front although they still have to lot to do against a Derbyshire side who have pushed them all the way.

A career-best unbeaten 140 by Luke Sutton and some impressive swing bowling from Kevin Dean had the Division Two leaders struggling until skipper Chris Adams hit back with a half-century against his former county.

Sutton was the first Derbyshire player to carry his bat since Adrian Rollins in 1996 - also against Sussex - and he restricted the visitors to a slender lead of 17.

When Murray Goodwin went cheaply and Dean pinned Richard Montgomerie and Bas Zuiderent lbw with successive balls, Sussex were in trouble but Adams responded with 59 from 92 balls and shared half-century stands with Michael Yardy and Robin Martin-Jenkins.

But when Dean returned to have Martin-Jenkins caught behind for 22 and Adams drove Lian Wharton to mid off, the game was back in the balance at 146-6.

Matthew Prior was run out for 15 but Mark Davis played another crucial innings and had added an unbeaten 43 in 143 minutes to his first innings 52 by the close.

Sussex ended on 224-8 and will go into what promises to be an enthralling fourth day with a lead of 241.

© CricInfo Ltd.