Both Gloucestershire and Sussex still held out hopes of victory at tea on the final day of the riveting Specsavers County Championship match at Cheltenham.

Chasing a victory target of 276, Gloucestershire had moved to 242-8, with 21-year-old James Bracey unbeaten on 86, and needed a further 34 runs to record their second Championship win of the season.

Gareth Roderick’s 66 helped the hosts recover from 38-4, having lost both nightwatchmen early in the morning session.

But, with a new ball due 3.1 overs after the tea break, Sussex could remain optimistic about their victory prospects.