Ed Joyce and Chris Nash put on 200 for the opening wicket to take Sussex to the brink of victory against Somerset at Hove.

Nash made his first century of the season while Joyce finally fell for 84 as Sussex reached 218-1 at the close.

It means they will require another 54 runs when they resume in the morning to complete their third County Championship win of the season.

Somerset had started the day favourites as they resumed their second innings on 114-1, a lead of 150, but first Jimmy Anyon and then Rana Naved swung the match back in Sussex's favour.

Rana claimed the key scalp of Marcus Trescothick before Anyon picked up three quick wickets as Somerset reached lunch on 206-5 - 242 ahead.

Rana then roared in from the Cromwell Road end to take 4-12 after the interval and also ran out Gemaal Hussain as Somerset slumped from 197-3 to 235 all out.

A target of 272 was still a formidable one but Joyce and Nash continued their excellent form together to ease Sussex towards their target.

Nash brought up his first century of the season by hitting Arul Suppiah for consecutive fours and Joyce seemed on target to join him until he was trapped lbw by Lewis Gregory.