Ed Joyce held up Worcestershire's push for a first victory of the season after Sussex were forced to follow on 213 behind on day three of the Specsavers County Championship clash at New Road.

The home side achieved their first objective in picking up the remaining four Sussex first innings wickets during the morning session for 86 runs to dismiss them for 278, although Ollie Robinson provided stern resistance with an unbroken 51.

But Joyce prevented Worcestershire from making significant inroads when Sussex launched their second innings just before lunch. The 37-year-old continued in the form which brought him a career best 250 in last week's Championship match at Derby.

But he was finally dismissed with three overs remaining for a well constructed 74 from 179 balls with eight boundaries.

By the close Sussex had moved onto 137-3, still 76 in arrears.