Sussex put themselves in a strong position against Worcestershire to earn the win needed to give them a chance of lifting the County Championship title.

Sussex elected to bat first and reached 287-4 in overcast conditions.

But Richard Montgomerie (82) and Chris Nash (89) compiled an opening stand of 155 in 40 overs.

Mike Yardy (52) and skipper Chris Adams (32no) consolidated their position before bad light ended play with seven overs remaining.

Sussex's previous highest opening stand was 121, compiled by Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin against Warwickshire at Hove in August 2003.

Montgomerie fell in the seventh over after lunch 18 short of his third century of the season.

Opening bowler Nadeem Malik made the breakthrough by having Montgomerie caught at the wicket pushing at one outside off-stump.

But Sussex built on their good start and Yardy, returning to the side following illness, batted steadily to help the hosts reach a second batting bonus point shortly after tea.

Captain Adams, feeling the discomfort of a finger injury which required five stitches last weekend, batted with restraint to build on his side's solid platform.

He had faced 27 overs before recording his first boundary, a steer cut, at the expense of Jones.