Kent will resume on Monday needing just 58 runs with seven wickets in hand to claim victory over Sussex.

A battling second innings performance from the visitors was not enough to mask their failures with the bat on day one.

And though Matt Prior's 70-ball innings of 67 at number seven gave his side some hope, the pitch has remained true enough for Kent to be on the cusp of another Championship win.

Resuming at 117-0, Kent lost both openers reasonably early in the day.

Symonds stars

Andrew Symonds had a fine day with the ball, removing Richard Montgomerie for 79 and Murray goodwin for 76 before cutting through the Hove team's middle order.

Symonds finished with six for 105, while Min Patel's off-spin earned him two wickets.

As Kent chased their victory target, Symnonds was out for a duck batting at four.

But things looked good for the home side after Ed Smith (74) and Paul Nixon (23) added an unbeaten 75 for the fourth wicket.

Kent: D P Fulton (Capt), R W T Key, E T Smith, A Symonds, M J Walker, M A Ealham, P A Nixon (Wkt), B J Trott, M M Patel, M J Saggers, A Khan.

Sussex: R R Montgomerie, M W Goodwin, K J Innes, P A Cottey, M H Yardy, T R Ambrose, R S C Martin-Jenkins, M J Prior (Wkt), M J G Davis, R J Kirtley (Capt), J D Lewry.

Umpires: A A Jones and B Leadbeater