Kevin Pietersen - ton at Derby Photo CricInfo

Somerset came within one run of making Sussex bat again before their second innings came to an end and Sussex had won by an innings and that single run. Sussex batted on until they had reached 644 all out. Robin Martin-Jenkins was 205 not out at the end while Mark Davis hit 111 before he was out to end a record partnership of 291 for the eighth wicket. It was the fourth highest stand for the wicket in first-class cricket and just one short of the best in county cricket – set in 1896 by Bobby Peel and Lord Hawke for Yorkshire against Warwickshire.

Somerset's second innings got off to a dreadful start when Jamie Cox was out in Jason Lewry's first over. Ian Blackwell with 114 and Michael Burns, who fell just two runs short of a century, blocked the Sussex path to an innings victory for a while, but with four wickets each for Lewry and Billy Taylor, defeat could not be prevented for long.

Leaders Surrey are not well-placed to add to their winning tally against Kent at Canterbury. They need another 145 runs to win but have only three second innings wickets intact. Kent were bowled out for 260 after Saqlain Mushtaq had taken another four wickets, leaving Surrey to score 410 for victory. Rikki Clarke scored 66 and Ian Ward is still there on 115, but the honours have gone to the Kent bowlers and it will take a monumental effort from the Surrey batsmen to win from this position.

The Roses Match appears to be heading for a traditional draw at Headingley. Chasing Yorkshire's first innings total of 515 for five declared, Lancashire were 330 for six at the close of the third day. Alec Swann is 151 not out and there were half-centuries for Stuart Law and Glen Chapple.

Division Two leaders Middlesex had to settle for a draw against Essex at Southgate. Owais Shah scored 148 not out as Middlesex rattled up 426 for four in their second innings, setting Essex an improbable 524 to win. Andy Strauss and Ben Hutton both had fifties to support Shah. Then Abdur Razzaq bowled Darren Robinson in the first over of the Essex reply, but there were no further alarms before the match ended with honours even.

Worcestershire, however, did manage to reinforce their promotion challenge by beating Northamptonshire at New Road by eight wickets. Vikram Solanki completed his century as Worcestershire reached 383 to trail Northamptonshire by just four runs on the first innings. Second time around, the Northamptonshire batting simply collapsed. They were bowled out for a mere 77 in 35.3 overs, leaving the home side 82 to win. David Leatherdale was the most successful bowler with four. They did lose two wickets in getting there, but Graeme Hick settled any nerves with a forthright innings of 36 – all of them in boundaries.

Nottinghamshire need another 283 on the final day of their match against Derbyshire with all second innings wickets standing. Kevin Pietersen completed his century in the first innings, but there were four wickets for Dominic Cork as Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 240. Nicky Boje then took five wickets as Derbyshire slumped to 209 all out in their second innings with Andrew Gait managing the one fifty of the innings.

Gloucestershire lead Glamorgan by 207 with five wickets remaining at Cheltenham with the prospect of a good finish on the cards. Matthew Maynard hit 140 and Mark Wallace 69 as Glamorgan were all out for 415 – 23 behind. Craig Spearman is still there on 125 out of 184 in what is very much a one-man show in Gloucestershire's second innings.

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