Sussex safely negotiated a tricky seven over spell before tea as they began their battled to avoid a first County Championship defeat of the season against Leicestershire.

Mark Pettini made an unbeaten 142 as Leicestershire declared on 473-8 at Hove, a first innings lead of 310.

Chris Nash then survived a scare when he was dropped by Paul Horton at first slip off the bowling of Clint McKay as Sussex reached tea on 23-0, still trailing by 287 runs.

There was some belated success for Sussex’s attack before the declaration as Steve Magoffin picked up Niall O’Brien (55) and Mackay (0) while Luke Wells removed Wayne White with his googly for as duck and Ben Raine for three.