Lancashire produced a post-tea fightback for the third day running to frustrate Sussex and keep alive their hopes of a vital victory at Hove.

Having been reduced to 116-3 at the end of the afternoon session – a lead of just two runs – they recovered to reach 203-4 at the close.

Ashwell Prince provided the backbone with a belligerent 85 and together with Steven Croft added 91 for the fourth wicket.

The stand was a crucial one for Lancashire who realistically need to win to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation but Prince’s dismissal in the penultimate over of the day could yet prove pivotal.

The visitors will be looking to stretch their lead beyond 200 tomorrow before giving themselves about 55 overs to try to bowl Sussex out.

The story of the day followed a similar pattern with Sussex dominating the opening two sessions only for Lancashire to rally after tea.

Ashar Zaidi and Chris Jordan put on a century for the eighth wicket as Sussex went from 341-7 overnight to 434 all out.

Zaidi made his maiden Championship half century – and his first in first class cricket since 2009 – before being caught in the deep for 66.

Jordan celebrated winning an England central contract by making his highest score of the season and looked set for a half century until he was run out for 41.

Lancashire’s hopes of saving the game took a further blow when they lost Paul Horton, Usman Khawaja and Karl Brown all before they had wiped out their first innings deficit of 114.

Jordan made the initial breakthrough as he had Horton caught at deep third man for 16 and then Steve Magoffin produced a peach of a delivery which found the outside edge of Khawaja’s bat and flew to Mike Yardy at second slip.

Zaidi then continued his impressive performance in this match by having Brown caught behind for 29 to reduce Lancashire to 111-3.

The spinner struck again in the penultimate over of the day to pick up the key wicket of Prince who was caught at short leg by Chris Nash.