Sussex rued missed chances as Cameron Bancroft got Durham off the hook at Hove.

Opening the batting for the first time in the Championship, the Australia international produced his first century of the campaign as Durham rallied from 90-5 to 259-5 at close.

Chris Jordan, who took 3-0 in an eight-ball spell at one stage, is 4-41 overnight.

Both Bancroft (120 not out) and Ned Eckersley, who was 70 at stumps, were dropped.

Eckersley had made only four when he was reprieved by Laurie Evans at second slip.

Evans had dropped a catch earlier in the day, when he put down Gareth Harte on eight.

Bancroft, who had reached his half-century by pulling the unlucky David Wiese for four, was dropped behind by Ben Brown off the same bowler via an inside-edge on 59.

Durham's fifth opening combination in seven matches survived just seven deliveries before Alex Lees sliced his attempted cover drive Jordan to Harry Finch at backward-point.

When play resumed after lunch Sussex took control. Aaron Thomason took his maiden first-class wicket when he had Harte, driving, caught by Stiaan van Zyl at extra cover.

Then Jordan caught Jack Burnham by surprise with one that bounced and seamed sharply away, for Brown to take a regulation catch behind the wicket.

There were two more for Jordan in his next over. First he swung one away from Graham Clark, who pushed forward and was caught by Evans at second slip.

Then, three balls later, Liam Trevaskis was also defeated by late away swing and was lbw without scoring.