Ottis Gibson continued his superb form with 4-78 as Durham ended day one with the edge over title hopefuls Sussex.

The veteran West Indian shared the new ball with Graham Onions and the pair ripped through the Sussex line-up.

Murray Goodwin (66) and an unbeaten 77 from Robin Martin-Jenkins provided some impetus, but they fell to 291 all out.

Durham's young opener Mark Stoneman and Scot Kyle Coetzer then dug deep to survive a lively final 36 overs, taking Durham to 115-1 by stumps, 176 behind.

It was a career-best knock for 20-year-old Stoneman, who looked very much the part with a mature innings.

But it was Gibson who was the star of the day, making the most of a green pitch with some fabulous seam bowling after Durham had won the toss.

Onions - preferred to batting all-rounder Ben Harmison before the match - also justified his selection with 3-56 to keep Durham's slim hopes of challenging Sussex for the championship honours alive.