Sussex gained an important first innings lead of 94 as the bowlers continued to dominate on the second day of the Championship match against Kent at Hove.

There were three wickets apiece for James Kirtley and Mushtaq Ahmed as Sussex dismissed Kent for 185, taking their last four wickets for 22 either side of lunch.

But Kent struck back when Sussex batted again with Alamgir Sheriyar, who took 5-65 in their first innings, removing Richard Montgomerie and Tony Cottey with the new ball.

Skipper Chris Adams, who has scored the only half-century in the match so far, was then smartly stumped by Geraint Jones when he overbalanced trying to drive off-spinner James Tredwell.

With six overs remaining before tea, Sussex had reached 55-3, a lead of 149.

Sussex took seven Kent wickets for 104 earlier in the day. Kirtley unhinged Greg Blewett (44) and Matthew Walker (41) in his first spell, although there was an element of controversy surrounding Walker's dismissal.

Two balls earlier he had collected five runs, four of them from overthrows, and should have been at the non-striker's end when Kirtley had him caught at slip.

Leg-spinner Ahmed mopped up the tail while there were two wickets each for Jason Lewry and Kevin Innes.