Paul Farbrace said Sussex were right to take a gamble in the quest for a second Championship win of the season.

The county drew a Hove thriller with Derbyshire, who they had set 380 to win in 58 overs.

The visitors gave it a real go and closed on 361-8.

Sussex coach Farbrace said: “The game wasn’t won or lost today, it was what happened in the first three days.

“We had opportunities - 150 for none at lunch on the first day, we should have got 500 and made our first innings count.

“We left a few runs out there and then were 72-4 in the second innings before a brilliant partnership from two young kids in James Coles and Dan Ibrahim.

“We missed a few chances – a couple of run-outs and catches – and those are the little things we need to improve.

“In terms of our declaration, we had to bear in mind the pitch was still very good to bat on and there was a very small boundary on one side.

“Credit to Derbyshire, they kept going and it was only when they were eight down that they stopped going for it.

“In the end I think it was worth gambling on trying to win and risking the draw and Derbyshire probably thought the same.

“Our young players will have learned a lot more from that game than playing safe cricket and shaking hands on a draw at 5pm. We’ve had a lot of draws but we’ve also come close to winning the last two home games and the crowd have gone home today knowing that they have seen a thoroughly good game of cricket which counts for something too.”

REPORT: PAGE 47