Luke Wells continued to defy Durham’s bowlers to keep Sussex’s hopes alive of avoiding defeat at Arundel.

Wells brought up his first century of the season to help guide Sussex to 223-4 at lunch in pursuit of an unlikely victory target of 514.

The left-hander stood firm after Durham had picked up two early wickets at Arundel Castle on the final morning.

Ed Joyce fell in the fourth over of the day when he edged John Hastings through to the wicketkeeper for 12.

The visitors made another breakthrough when Chris Nash chipped a ball from Graham Onions to the fielder at mid-on having made 12.

Sussex were 150-4 at that stage but Luke Wright came in to joins Wells with the pair putting on an unbroken stand of 73 for the fifth wicket so far.

Wells reached lunch unbeaten on 102 with Wright 36 not out but both will need to continue their resistance in the afternoon if Sussex are to escape with a draw.