Jack Leaning made his career best score to put Yorkshire on top of their Championship clash with Sussex at the end of the second day at Arundel Castle.

The 20-year-old reached the close unbeaten on 75 to guide the visitors to 208-3 in reply to Sussex’s first innings total of 316.

Leaning’s watchful innings ensured Yorkshire gained the advantage following an attritional day where only 224 runs were scored.

He took 136 balls to reach the second 50 of his first class career and had batted for nearly four hours when stumps were drawn.

Leaning put on 73 with Adam Lyth who made a patient 66 and an unbroken stand of 69 with Jonny Bairstow who will resume on 33 in the morning.

While Yorkshire will be happier with their position at the halfway stage of the match Steve Magoffin ensured the visitors were never able to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

The Aussie seamer conceded just 22 runs in his 23 overs and was rewarded for his persistence with the wickets of Alex Lees and Lyth.

Magoffin trapped Lees lbw just before lunch for 27 with a ball that nipped back and then had Lyth caught at deep fine leg after top edging a hook.

James Tredwell picked up his first wicket for Sussex since joining on loan from Kent when he bowled Andrew Gale behind his legs sweeping.

At that stage Yorkshire were 139-3 and the game was very much in the balance but Leaning and Bairstow swung the initiative back towards the visitors in the evening session.

Earlier, Sussex had added 16 runs to their overnight score of 300-9 before Jon Lewis was caught at second slip for 61 – ten short of a career best – off the bowling of Jack Brooks.