Sussex picked up three big wickets in their pursuit of a first County Championship win of the season – but gave England captain Alastair Cook a reprieve.

Nick Browne and Tom Westley fell cheaply after Sussex had been bowled out for 288 in their second innings to leave Essex chasing 329 to win from 91 overs.

Then Ravi Bopara was well caught by Matt Machan on the square leg boundary in the final over before lunch to leave Essex 80-3 at the end of another enthralling session.

It capped a good morning for Sussex which had begun with their last wicket pair of Steve Magoffin and Ajmal Shahzad added just eight to their overnight partnership of 40 before Shahzad chipped Jamie Porter to midwicket to give the Essex seamer figures of 5-82..

Magoffin then struck in his second over when he pinned Browne lbw for just three and Sussex enjoyed further joy when Ollie Robinson removed Westley in similar fashion for 16.

Robinson should have had a second wicket only for Danny Briggs to put down a regulation catch at first slip to remove Cook for just one.

Instead Cook went on to reach lunch unbeaten on 30 but lost Bopara for 28 when he hit Shahzad to Machan who took a fine catch diving forward.