Stand-in skipper James Kirtley is backing Sussex to make it six of the best when they face star-studded Surrey on Wednesday.

Kirtley took two wickets, a brilliant diving catch and also ran out opposite number Ronnie Irani as the county pulled off their fifth successive win in all competitions by one run in yesterday's Norwich Union League match against Essex at Chelmsford.

It means his side are full of confidence ahead of the Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final at Hove.

Kirtley said: "It's important to win those sorts of tight games because they can instil a lot of self-belief into the side.

"I wouldn't say it was a polished performance, there are areas of our game which we need to address in the next couple of days.

"But we've won our last five games now and, although some of the players have had a bit of a break in the last week, it's good that we've come together again and kept our momentum going.

"If we show the same discipline we produced in the other B and H games, there is no reason why we can't get ourselves a sixth successive win against Surrey."

Richard Montgomerie made a competition best 91 in Sussex's 243-6 then off-spinner Mark Davis took 2-43 as Essex fell just short despite 66 from Stephen Peters and an unbeaten 48 by Paul Grayson.

Kirtley said: "It was a great innings by Monty and, as a side we didn't waste too many balls when we batted.

"Then Mark came on and really revelled in the moment."

Kirtley is likely to be leading the side again against Surrey as Chris Adams struggles to recover from the broken thumb which has kept him out for the past three weeks.