Steve Magoffin and Ollie Robinson both struck twice before tea as Sussex fought to keep their hopes of victory alive against Middlesex at Hove.

Sussex were indebted to a counter-punching 46 from Ben Brown as they pushed their total along from 163-8 at lunch to 192 all out.

That still left them facing a deficit of 77 and Middlesex stretched their lead to 179 as they reached 102-5 at tea.

Brown decided attack was the best form of defence on such a hazardous batting wicket as he hit James Harris for three fours in the first over after tea.

But Sussex’s hopes of at least picking up a single batting point ended when was caught behind down the leg side off Ollie Rayner with Matt Hobden then being run out for nought.

Robinson made the initial breakthrough for Sussex as he had Nick Gubbins caught at second slip by Mike Yardy for six.

Magoffin produced a beauty to bowl Sam Robson for 15 and then had James Franklin caught in the slips first ball for his second duck in the game.

Nick Compton was superbly run out for 33 by sub fielder Simon Harmer – on in place of the injured Ajmal Shahzad – with Robinson having Neil Dexter caught behind for 16 from the final ball before tea.