Sussex are off to solid start in their home Championship programme – but they might feel it could have been even better.

The county closed on 355-8 on day one of their second division contest with Essex at Hove.

A very positive half century down the order from Ollie Robinson pushed them to their fourth bonus point by close of play after Chris Nash (119) and Ed Joyce (61) put on 188 for the first wicket.

Nash, on the attack from very early on, made his runs from 144 balls as he completed a 20th career first class ton.

Joyce was more restrained but both men looked well set until being snapped up in mid-afternoon in the first over delivered by Ryan ten Doeschate, the seventh bowler used on the day by Essex.

Robinson provided the momentum Sussex needed after being pegged back to 289-6 after tea.

He hit nine fours in his 51 but Sussex face a struggle if they are to reach 400, and the fifth bonus point today.

Sussex lost Matt Machan (35) and Ben Brown (0) quickly in that rocky period after tea, although the former was unsure his caught-bowled chance had carried to Tom Westley.

Luke Wells (25) also trudged off very slowly after falling victim to the right-arm spinner, though that was more to do with his attempt at a late cut which saw him edge to slip.