Sussex boosted their hopes of preserving their County Championship division one status with a comprehensive innings and 63 runs success over fellow strugglers Worcestershire at New Road.

Victory moved Sussex up into sixth spot, 18 points ahead of second from bottom Hampshire who have a match in hand.

It was their first win in nine games since defeating Warwickshire by one wicket at Hove in late May and their fourth in total this season.

Worcestershire have slipped to the bottom of the table, 13 points adrift of safety and they have played a game more than seventh placed Somerset.

Only a superb 100 by 19-year-old Joe Clarke - his first in the competition - delayed the outcome.

The home side were outplayed in all departments and never recovered from being bowled out for a below par 210 in their first innings after winning the toss.

England players past and present were chiefly responsible for Sussex's win with Luke Wright hitting a career best 226 not out and fit again Chris Jordan finishing with seven wickets in the game.

Worcestershire resumed on 59-3 and Jordan, their first innings destroyer with 5-68 off 22 overs, quickly broke through when bowling nightwatchman Charlie Morris for 12.

There was then a rain delay which led to the loss of 12 overs.

But Sussex spinner Ashar Zaidi quickly made up for lost time by trapping Alex Gidman lbw for six to leave Worcestershire on 83-5.

Then in the last over before lunch Jordan struck again as Ross Whiteley went lbw for two.

More prolonged resistance came during the afternoon session as keeper Ben Cox proved an effective ally to Clarke.

Clarke went to a classy half century off 90 balls with eight boundaries.

It was Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson, after reverting to spin mode, who broke the stand when Cox (31) went for a slog sweep and was bowled.

Ashar Zaidi claimed his third wicket of the innings as Joe Leach (7) became the fourth lbw victim of the innings.

Sussex moved within one wicket of victory when Jack Shantry (13) was also given out lbw but Clarke had time to reach three figures off 174 balls with his 14th four - at Jordan's expense through the covers.

It all ended when Steve Magoffin bowled Ajmal (9) to leave Clarke unbeaten on 104 out of 237 all out.