Sussex took a big step towards claiming the second division title after bowling out Gloucestershire for 228 on the second day at Hove.

James Kirtley took 4-59 and Mark Robinson 4-39 as the visitors were dismissed with three overs of the day remaining, seven short of their follow-on target.

Whether skipper Chris Adams enforces it remains to be seen. But he will be mindful that three of his fast bowlers are struggling with minor injury niggles.

Replying to Sussex's 384, Gloucestershire only looked like threatening that total when Ian Harvey was blazing away either side of tea to make 71 off just 55 balls with 12 fours and two sixes off successive Robinson deliveries.

Only 11 runs were scored at the other end as he dominated stands of 54 with Matt Windows and 28 with Mark Alleyne for the fourth and fifth wickets.

But he became Kirtley's second victim when he was bowled attempting a late cut and the Sussex paceman took his season's tally to 69, making him the second highest wicket-taker in the country, by removing Martyn Ball and Roger Sillence to add to his earlier scalp of Tim Hancock.

Alleyne and Alastair Bressington put on 32 for the ninth wicket to give Gloucestershire a batting point and a glimmer of hope of avoiding the follow-on, but both were removed by Robinson who has now claimed a career-best 54 wickets this season.

Earlier Kirtley had scored only his second half-century, finishing unbeaten on 51 as Sussex's last three wickets put on 115. Jason Lewry made a career-best 47 and Robinson a valuable ten at the end as Sussex completed a remarkable recovery after being 70-5 at one stage on the first day.

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