Durham are on the verge of their first ever Championship win over second division leaders Sussex despite some brave resistance from Robin Martin-Jenkins.

The tall all-rounder batted for nearly four hours for his unbeaten 84, but his side closed on 238-7, still requiring 99 for the victory that would clinch promotion to Division One.

Sussex had launched their run chase in style with Richard Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin putting on 84 in 20 overs before Montgomerie ran a risky single to mid wicket and was run out by Gary Pratt's brilliant swoop and direct hit.

In the next 11 overs Sussex subsided to 114-4. Skipper Chris Adams drove loosely to gully, Bas Zuiderent edged to third slip and Goodwin was caught behind for an entertaining 65.

Michael Yardy was dropped twice before he was taken at short leg for 13 and after tea Martin-Jenkins lost Matt Prior (14) and Mark Davis (4) in taking the score to 229-7.

Durham turned down the option of claiming the extra half-hour but will fancy their chances of completing victory this morning, especially as the new ball is due in 14 overs.

Earlier James Kirtley and Mark Robinson each took five wickets as Durham were bowled out for 199 in their second innings, losing their last five wickets in less than an hour for 20 runs.

Kirtley's 5-47 gave him a season's best match haul of 10-95 while Robinson took his 200th wicket for the county and has now taken 21 in the last three games after finishing with 5-59.

© CricInfo