Sussex batted through the final day to secure a fifth consecutive draw in the County Championship at Worcestershire.

Ross Taylor, Matt Machan and Harry Finch all made half-centuries in clearing a deficit of 213 and opening up a lead of 198 when the game ended with their total on 411-9.

Contrary to a dismal overnight forecast, a ten-minute delay in the morning was the only disruption from the weather as Sussex set about blunting the home team’s seamers on a pitch.

Resuming at 137-3, still 76 behind, they restricted Worcestershire to two wickets in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Taylor (62) put on 52 with nightwatchman Lewis Hatchett (17) and 48 with Machan, who then added 55 with Finch before he was out for a quick-fire 66 from 70 balls.

Machan’s pull for six off Matt Henry before lunch wiped out the arrears and they were approaching a secure position when Finch and Ben Brown (29) added 60 in 15 overs before tea.

When Finch - who made a maiden first class century- Brown and Steve Magoffin fell after tea Worcestershire still had a glimmer of hope but Ollie Robinson, unbeaten in the match with scores of 51 and 29, saw out time with last man Stuart Whitingham.