Sussex’s openers Chris Nash and Mike Yardy made a solid start as they chase a testing victory target against Middlesex at Hove.

Middlesex stretched their lead from 203 overnight to 286 as they were bowled out for 209 in their second innings before lunch on day three.

Steve Magoffin picked up the wickets of Steven Finn and John Simpson to finish with match figures of 7-110 while Ollie Robinson removed Ollie Rayner to claim 8-108.

Sussex then reached 20-0 at lunch with Yardy unbeaten on 12 and Nash 7 meaning they require a further 267 for what would be a remarkable victory.

Middlesex resumed on 126-6 and quickly set about trying to bat Sussex out of the game with some attacking strokes.

Ollie Rayner made a valuable 23 before he was well caught by Mike Yardy at second slip – his fourth victim of the innings and sixth in the game – off the bowling of Ollie Robinson.

Sussex needed to be clinical to give themselves the best chance of victory but Matt Machan put down John Simpson on the square leg boundary when he was on 16.

Simpson took advantage by moving to 34 before he was bowled by Steve Magoffin with a ball that kept low.

Matt Hobden picked up his first wicket when he had James Harris caught behind for 28 and Magoffin wrapped up the innings when Steven Finn was caught by Craig Cachopa at cover for nine.