Durham's Smith on his way to 107 against Sussex

Centuries from Will Smith and Dale Benkenstein saw Durham take a valuable 72-run lead into the third day at Hove.

It was a sterling fightback from the visitors who had started the day on 10-3 after Sussex were bowled out for a lacklustre 214 on day one.

Corey Collymore and Jason Lewry took four wickets apiece for Sussex but Smith (107) and Benkenstein (110) helped the visitors to 301.

Sussex were 15-2 at stumps, still 72 runs behind, and with much to do.

The defending champions have not been beaten at home in the Championship since the last match of the 2002 season, but that record appears in danger after the early dismissals of Chris Nash and Carl Hopkinson.

Steve Harmison shrugged off a slight foot injury to have Nash caught at the wicket, before Hopkinson was bowled by Callum Thorp.

Sussex had got off to the best possible start as Collymore struck without Durham adding to their overnight total with the dismissal of Neil McKenzie.

However, that brought captain Benkenstein to the crease who combined with Smith to frustrate the hosts.

Smith was dropped on nine when Hopkinson put down a straight forward chance at first slip off Collymore and the pair were 17 short of equalling Durham's highest ever fifth wicket stand when Mushtaq Ahmed finally broke through.

He trapped Benkenstein leg before on 110 for his 1,400th first-class wicket of his career.

Mushtaq then ended Smith's impressive innings before Lewry had Phil Mustard caught behind, and he then pinned Paul Wiseman in front two balls later.

Thorp was Lewry's fourth victim as he went for a single, but Durham were guided to a third batting point by brothers Ben and Stephen Harmison before Collymore claimed the wicked of Ben Harmison.