Sussex have put themselves in a strong position to push for victory on the final day of their County Championship clash with Warwickshire at Horsham.

Half centuries from skipper Ed Joyce and debutant Craig Cachopa saw Sussex race to 204-4 at the close giving them a lead of 284.

Jonathan Trott had earlier completed his first century since returning from a stress-related illness in the winter as Warwickshire were bowled out for 333 in reply to Sussex’s first innings total of 413.

Sussex will look to stretch their lead with quick runs in the morning to give them at least two sessions to bowl Warwickshire out.

Joyce’s men would have been in an even stronger position had they fielded better in the morning.

They shelled five catches while Ben Brown also missed a stumping to squander to go with the two chances they put down the previous evening.

James Tredwell and Chris Jordan had struck early to get rid of Sam Hain and Tim Ambrose and leave the Bears in a precarious position on 193-5.

But Clarke was given four reprieves and Trott was put down twice as they added 54 for the sixth wicket.

Trott brought up his first century since October from 224 balls, including 14 fours, before being caught behind off the bowling of Magoffin just before lunch.

Magoffin claimed his 50th wicket of the season when he had Keith Barker caught at slip for nine and with Clarke’s luck also running out when he was dismissed for 24 by Jordan it meant Warwickshire were in danger of conceding a big lead on 266-8.

Jeetan Patel and Chris Woakes eased those fears by putting on 60 for the ninth wicket before Magoffin (4-) and Lewis Hatchett (3-) wrapped things up at tea.

Sussex lost Chris Nash for seven and Luke Wells for 31 but Joyce and Cachopa batted positively to take the game away from Warwickshire.

Joyce reached his half century from 89 balls with seven fours and a six over long on off Patel.

Cachopa continued what has been a dream debut by scoring his second 50 from just 67 deliveries with nine fours and a big six into the tennis courts at the Church End.

Joyce was strangled down the leg side for 72 off the bowling of Boyd Rankin who also had Cachopa chop on to his own stumps for 54 leaving Luke Wright and Jordan together at the close.