Sussex hauled themselves off the bottom of the second division after a narrow nine-run win over Derbyshire in their Norwich Union League encounter at Arundel.

The Scorpions looked on course for victory when Chris Bassano, a former Sussex triallist, and Karl Krikken were putting on 67 for the sixth wicket in 12 overs.

But Krikken was run out for 33 by Chris Adams' direct hit running round from mid-on and Derbyshire faltered in the last five overs which began with 32 still needed.

Bassano was bowled by Billy Taylor and Nathan Dumelow yorked by James Kirtley as they finished on 201-8 in reply to Sussex's 209-9.

Earlier left-armer Mike Yardy had taken two wickets in successive overs, removing former Sussex star Michael Di Venuto courtesy of a great catch by Taylor on the fine leg boundary before trapping Rob Bailey lbw.

Sussex were indebted to Murray Goodwin and Bas Zuiderent whose 120 in 25 overs for the third wicket effectively won the match for them after Tim Munton had removed Richard Montgomerie and Adams with 23 on the board.

Goodwin made 65 and Zuiderent 63, but the innings subsided badly after they were dismissed in the space of four overs, the last seven wickets falling for 62 runs in 14 overs. Munton (2-28) was the pick of the Derbyshire attack while Richard Illingworth took 3-52.

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