Sussex are poised to go top of the Championship for the first time this season after forcing Essex to follow on at Colchester yesterday.

But director of cricket Peter Moores warned his side that they face 'a lot of hard work' before they can celebrate their eighth win of the season and go above Surrey in division one.

Mushtaq Ahmed took four more wickets to take his tally for the season to 86 as Essex were bowled out for 283 replying to Sussex's 612. Following on needing 330 to make Sussex bat again, the hosts had reached 23-0 at the end of the second day.

"The day didn't quite go according to plan, but to still bowl them out for under 300 was still a pretty good effort," said Moores.

"We got carried away a bit with the new ball, but after that we showed the same discipline which has served us well all season.

"It's a slow pitch and because of that batsmen have to be patient. Six of their guys got to 30 but didn't push on so they will be disappointed with that.

"We're in a great position but we still have a lot of hard work ahead of us and we will have to keep putting enough balls in the right areas because if you are patient as a batsman it is possible to score runs on this pitch."

Matt Prior (153 not out) and Jason Lewry (70) had earlier claimed career-bests as Sussex passed 600 for only the ninth time in their history.

Moores said: "Matt is averaging over 40 which is a tremendous effort for a 21-year-old who is coming in at No. 7 but playing like a No. 4."

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