Sussex made great strides in their bid to avoid relegation at Hove despite a rain-affected first day of their Division One match against Yorkshire.

With both sides battling the drop, rain continually interrupted play.

But either side of the breaks, the visitors were reduced to 84-6 from just 38 overs, with Mohammad Sami taking 3-39 and Andrew Gale (31) top-scoring.

The good news for Yorkshire is that fellow relegation strugglers Kent fell to 190-9 against Durham at Canterbury.

Yorkshire could stay up regardless of the result at Hove, as long as Kent lose and Yorkshire accumulate five more bonus points.

However, that could prove a mammoth ask after a disappointing first day that went almost entirely Sussex's way, thanks in the main to Pakistan seamer Sami.

In the 7.3 overs possible before lunch, Adam Lyth made a 10-ball duck - bowled by Jason Lewry - and after having to start his innings three times, number three Anthony McGrath eventually went in the afternoon for three off the bowling of Robin Martin-Jenkins.

Gale had provided all Yorkshire's runs off the bat in their first 30 but he prodded behind off Sami.

And even though Jacques Rudolph and Gerard Brophy fought manfully either side of a lengthy rain break, both fell to the same bowler - Rudolph inside-edging onto his stumps and Brophy bowled through the gate.

When Lewry trapped nightwatchman Steve Patterson lbw with some more full-length in-swing, Yorkshire had lost three wickets for six runs in three overs - and left them needing all the help they could get from Durham against Kent on day two.