England captain Alastair Cook made an unbeaten century to deny Sussex a hard-fought County Championship victory over Essex at Hove.

Cook made Sussex pay for dropping him on just one as he went on to score 127 out of Essex’s total of 266-7 – chasing 329 to win - at the close.

Ajmal Shahzad had taken three wickets and Luke Wells picked up two in quick succession during the evening session to give Sussex a glimmer of hope but in the end they had to settle for a draw.

Essex had sniffed victory when they reached tea on 172-4, leaving them 32 overs to make 157 runs and with Cook and Jesse Ryder well set.

The pair had got that down to 113 required from 20 overs with Cook completing his 53rd first class century from 189 balls.

The momentum of the game swung when Ryder chopped a ball from Luke Wells onto his stumps immediately after bringing up the century partnership.

From 231-4 and looking favourites to push for victory Essex suddenly found themselves 251-7 and needed to shut up shop for the draw.

Matt Machan took his second excellent catch of the day when he clung on at deep cover to remove Ryan ten Doeschate for four and give Wells his second wicket.

Ajmal Shahzad then trapped James Foster lbw for five to give Sussex real hope with 10.5 overs still remaining and the new ball in the hands of Steve Magoffin and Ollie Robinson.

But Cook and Graham Napier battened down the hatches to make it through to the close without further alarm with Cook's innings lasting just short of six hours.

Earlier Sussex had made quick inroads into the Essex batting after being dismissed for 288 in their second innings.

Magoffin had Nick Browne lbw for three and Robinson trapped Tom Westley in front for 16 to leave the vistors on 32-2.

Ravi Bopara was well caught by Machan on the stroke of lunch but Ryder and Cook steadied the ship for Essex after Dan Lawrence was lbw to Shahzad for 22.