Sussex have been warned they still have work to do despite giving their Championship survival prospects a massive boost.

An emphatic innings and 63-run victory over fellow strugglers Worcestershire yesterday lifted Sussex out of the dropzone and up to sixth place in division one.

A maximum 24-point haul at New Road means Sussex now have a healthy 18 point cushion over second bottom Hampshire with Somerset 13 points behind Ed Joyce’s men.

Sussex could be dragged back into trouble next week, however, with Hampshire and Somerset playing their game in hand against each other before the potentially decisive clash with Somerset at Hove the following week.

Chris Nash, who stood in as captain for the injured Joyce at New Road, said: “It is a huge win. We were all aware of the enormity of the game as we were playing a team in a similar position to us and it opens up a nice gap.

“It’s in our hands now but there is still a lot of cricket to be played. Our next game (against Somerset) is pretty much do-or-die and if we win that one we should be safe.”

Sussex began the final day needing to take a further seven wickets but their hopes of wrapping up their first win in nine games were held up by Joe Clarke.

The teenager made his maiden first class century but eventually ran out of partners as Worcestershire were bowled out for 237 just before tea.

Nash added: “We’re obviously delighted to get the win but also happy with the way we did it. We knew we were going to have to work hard for four days on a flat wicket and we did everything we set out to do.”