Richard Oliver survived a blow on the helmet and a couple of close calls to give Worcestershire the edge on the second morning of their Championship clash at Hove.
Oliver reached lunch unbeaten on 64 having required treatment and a new helmet after being struck by a bouncer from Tymal Mills.
The Worcestershire opener also profited from some poor Sussex fielding when he was dropped by Craig Cachopa at first slip when he was on 58.
Oliver’s innings has given Worcestershire the edge as they reached lunch on 133-2 having lost two early wickets.
Matt Hobden gave Sussex the breakthrough they desperately wanted having been bowled out for 345 on Sunday.
The 22-year-old knocked out Daryl Mitchell’s off stump in his third over of the morning before having Tom Fell caught behind.
Worcestershire were 60-2 at that point but Oliver and Alex Gidman ensured it was the visitor’s morning by putting on an unbroken 73 for the third wicket.
Oliver had two strokes of luck after reaching his half century from 119 balls. First he played a delivery from Ashar Zaidi on to his stumps but the bails stayed on and then Cachopa put down a simple catch off Hobden at slips.
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