Sussex moved within a win of a C&G Trophy final spot after a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Ireland.

Richard Montgomerie hit an 108 not out to win with 13 overs left, dashing the hosts' chances of a strong warm-up for Tuesday's match against England.

Medium-pacer Luke Wright took 4-56 to bowl the hosts out for 216, despite Peter Gillespie's 51 and a dashing 41 from Kyle McCallan.

Montgomerie put on 130 with Chris Adams, whose 65 came from 79 balls.

Sussex, three points clear atop the South Conference, need to beat either Hampshire next Friday or Gloucestershire the following Wednesday to seal a trip to Lord's.

Ireland, who bottom of the group with just one win so far, struggled with the bat early on as they were reduced to 10-3.

Gillespie and Andrew White steadied the Irish innings with a partnership of 71, before two quick wickets saw the hosts in deep trouble.

Gillespie's eagerness to manoeuvre Pakistani off-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed then saw him become the fifth home batsman trapped lbw.

Debutant Kevin O'Brien was tamely given out leg before for 23 from 35 balls, including Ireland's only six of the innings.

McCallan and John Mooney at least dragged their side past the 200 mark.

Adams survived a good lbw chance and an appeal for caught behind before hitting seven fours and two sixes.

He and Murray Goodwin went in quick succession but Montgomerie held his nerve alongside Michael Yardy to bring up a deserved century.