OLLIE ROBINSON took 6-63 but Northamptonshire finished the day on the high as they got among the wickets as Sussex's top order troubles continued.

The hosts lost on-loan Varun Chopra for five and then the returning Phil Salt for just one run as Brett Hutton and Ben Sanderson struck in successive overs.

Sussex were 7-2 at the close with night watchman Aaron Thomason (0 not out) and Luke Wells (1 not out) at the crease.

Earlier Northants had recovered from 99-6 to make 273 all out on the opening day of this Specsavers County Championship division two clash.

Northants were in dire straits but Saif Zaib dug in for 54 before a stubborn last-wicket partnership of 68 between Sanderson (28) and Nathan Buck (34 not out) carried the visitors to a second batting bonus point at the 1st Central County Ground.

It was Robinson's tenth five-for haul of his First Class career.

He also claimed his 200th First Class wicket of his career - all for Sussex - as he constantly bowled a testing line and length in an impressive 24 overs as he finished with figures of 24-7-63-6.

Sanderson was his last victim, his mistimed hook being taken by Thomason at deep square leg.

Earlier Robinson broke through with the last ball of the first over of the match when he had Ricardo Vasconcelos lbw for two.

Rob Newton got an outside edge to a fine delivery from Robinson in the 13th over and captain Ben Brown took a simple catch behind the wicket.

Thomason replaced Abi Sakande at the sea end at 58-2 and with his first delivery, a poor one down the leg-side-side, Temba Bavuma got an inside edge to Brown.

Then, at 76, Alex Wakely, on 36, received a delivery from David Wiese which left him and Laurie Evans took the catch at second slip.

Robinson was back in the wickets soon after lunch.

He had Rob Keogh leg before and then Luke Wells took a superb catch at third slip as Luke Procter's attempted drive flew to him at speed.

Robinson struck again in the 53rd over when he had the Northants captain Adam Rossington caught behind with a fine delivery which lifted and left the batsman, who had scored 35 and added 51 runs for the seventh wicket with Zaib.

Abi Sakande accounted for Brett Hutton and then Zaib shortly after for two wickets in an over before the rearguard action which was finally ended by Robinson.