Hampshire made champions Sussex work for their wickets as day two of their game ended with honours pretty even.

Hants were 61-3, in reply to Sussex's 332 after James Tomlinson and Michael Brown fell but Jimmy Adams (50) and John Crawley (47) added 92 in 31 overs.

Robin Martin-Jenkins pinned Adams lbw on the back foot and Ragheb Aga had Crawley caught behind before Nic Pothas (40) and Michael Lumb (77no) shared 76.

The aggressive Pothas was bowled by debutant Aga but Hants closed on 304-6.

That represented a decent position on a slowish wicket that always had something for the bowlers.

And with Lumb reining in his usually attacking approach, Hampshire will hope to at least achieve parity, particularly with Greg Lamb (20no) proving an able ally.

Lumb had one slice of fortune on 55 when he was dropped head high at slip by a juggling Michael Yardy off Liddle.