Chris Jordan and Lewis Hatchett both took two wickets as Sussex strengthened their position on the final day against Lancashire.

The Sussex seamers pegged Lancashire back after Jos Buttler and Steven Croft had threatened to put the visitors into a good position to make a declaration at lunch.

The departure of Buttler and Croft slowed Lancashire’s momentum as they finished the morning session on 328-8, a lead of 214 with 69 overs remaining.

That means Lancashire will need to continue batting in the afternoon to eke out as many runs as possible to set Sussex a challenging target.

Lancashire will probably have one eye on the situation at Lord’s too where relegation rivals Middlesex are battling to avoid defeat against Durham.

Lancashire had begun the day in positive fashion with Buttler and Croft adding 74 in the opening 12 overs as they looked to set up a declaration.

Buttler smashed Ashar Zaidi for two huge sixes down the ground before the Sussex all-rounder had to go off after hurting a finger stopping another powerful Buttler drive.

Croft reached his 50 off 140 balls and after playing with extreme caution yesterday finally began to cut loose as he hit Chris Nash over the ropes.

Croft picked up a second six when he was caught on the third man boundary off the bowling of Lewis Hatchett only for Luke Wright to step on the rope.

Lancashire’s innings lost all impetus when Buttler was out for 33 off 34 balls having been superbly caught by England team-mate Jordan off the bowling of Hatchett.

Croft followed for 87 in the first over of the new ball as he skied a catch off Jordan to Hatchett at mid-on.

Tom Smith then had to retire hurt with a back problem and his replacement Glen Chapple fell for just two, caught on the point boundary to give Jordan his second wicket.

Simon Kerrigan followed for a duck when he was well held by Mike Yardy at second slip off the bowling of Hatchett.