On the day Chris Adams praised Sussex's young guns, a few older hands combined to make sure the county just about held sway against Nottinghamshire at Hove.

Even though he still only 25, Robin Martin-Jenkins must consider himself something of an old sweat when he looks around the dressing room these days and sees guys like Bas Zuiderent, Michael Yardy and Matt Prior suddenly making an impression.

In turn, that trio of emerging players must aspire one day to establish themselves in the same way Martin-Jenkins has done in the past three seasons. Yesterday the tall all-rounder proved his value with bat and ball, scoring a patient half-century before taking two important wickets as Notts closed on 214-4 in reply to Sussex's formidable 404.

A patch at the sea end on a full length offered the bowlers some occasional steep lift, but the pitch is essentially an excellent one for batsmen and Sussex had to work hard for their four wickets yesterday after their first innings had ended 40 minutes after lunch.

Nottinghamshire have been installed as early favourites to win promotion from the second division and even without injured captain Jason Gallian and John Morris, who has been left out, they still have a strong top order chock full of attractive strokeplayers.

So, for Sussex to have knocked over the top four for 142 was a good effort, although by the close Paul Johnson and Kevin Pieterson had probably ended any worries that they might have had of having to follow on by putting together an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 66.

Martin-Jenkins made the breakthrough with the fourth ball of his opening spell from the sea end when Darren Bicknell edged one off the bottom of the bat to third slip where Yardy swooped to take an excellent catch as his knuckles scraped the turf.

Guy Welton and Australian Greg Blewett were not fazed by the loss of their captain, going for their shots in a second wicket alliance of 54 which ended on the stroke of tea when Jason Lewry, who bowled with more menace after switching to the Cromwell Road end, fired in a yorker and Welton got a leading edge straight into the grateful hands of the bowler.

The best batting of the day came after tea as Blewett and Usman Afzaal matched each other shot for shot. The quality of both players' driving, particularly through the off side, was worth the admission money on its own although Sussex were glad to separate the pair before they did too much damage.

Blewett, who has already scored a Championship century for his new county, had moved serenely on to 49 when James Kirtley got him with a peach of a delivery which left him off the pitch and found the edge.

Afzaal, now considered a future England player after an impressive A tour in the winter, made 29 and was looking good for a few more. Perhaps he got over ambitious, but in trying to cut a ball from Martin-Jenkins that was too close to him he only succeeded in getting a thick edge which Richard Montgomerie snapped up to complete a highly impressive day's work for Sussex's slip cordon.

By the close Mark Davis and Umer Rashid were wheeling away in tandem. Davis went wicketless in his first lengthy spell at Hove, but his battle with Blewett was fascinating to watch. The Australian looked to get after him from the start, but was soon forced to adopt a more cautious approach as the South African impressed with his control and flight.

Davis did not look too shabby with the bat either in his first Championship innings for his new county. But although Sussex's total was their highest since the run fest between these two teams at Hove last July, it was still disappointing that they did not collect a full hand of batting bonus points.

Resuming on 318-5 after the start was delayed for 15 minutes while groundstaff used a blow torch to dry up a damp patch close to the wicket caused by overnight storms, they had only added four more runs when Bas Zuiderent, driving without too much footwork outside off stump, was caught in the slips in left-armer Greg Smith's first over.

The Dutchman had failed to add to his overnight 122 and after Prior, a player who likes to go for his shots, edged Paul Franks to his opposite number Chris Read for just a single, Sussex rather lost their way.

Martin-Jenkins duly reached his half-century off 103 balls with five fours and a six but he and Davis were bogged down by some accurate Nottinghamshire bowling to such an extent that just 20 runs were accumulated in as many overs either side of lunch.

And the first time Martin-Jenkins took a risk proved to be his downfall when he top edged Franks to long leg trying to hook. Davis must have been pleased with his obdurate 42 on debut until he returned to the pavilion to learn that he had actually become the first victim of the new penalty punishment introduced to the rule book this season.

Davis was twice warned for running on to the pitch by umpire Jeremy Lloyds and another indiscretion could have cost his side five runs. As it was the run he scored when he committed the offence for the second time was taken off his score.

Fortunately he had driven David Millns to deep point before falling foul for the third time. Davis's fellow Springbok Smith was the catcher, but he impressed just as much with the ball, finishing with 5-64.

The pitch is not likely to show much natural wear and tear until the fourth day suggests any prospect of a positive result may rest with Kirtley's ability to make a well-timed declaration tomorrow.

Last wicket pair Paul Havell and Glen Read survived the final four overs as Sussex second XI hung on for a draw against Yorkshire at Stanford Bridge.

Sussex, set a target of 325 in what turned out to be 91 overs, finished on 233-9 with Carl Hopkinson top-scoring with 70.

Hopkinson shared in a six wicket stand of 71 with Dominic Clapp (50) after Sussex lost half they side for just 106.

Off spiner James Middlebrook sent back Nick Wilton and Ben France for ducks after removing Tim Ambrose for five as Sussex collapsed after a sound start.

Left arm pace bowler Paul Hutchison broke an opening stand of 88 between Andy Perry and Jamie Carpenter by having Perry (23) caught behind. Hutchison then said back Carpenter for 54.

Hopkinson's 157-ball innings was later ended by left arm spinner Ian Fisher, who had him leg before, and Fisher claimed his third wicket by bowling Billy Taylor.