Sussex wicket-keeper Matt Prior made a maiden first-class hundred as the home side piled up a daunting total.

Hampshire will resume their innings on the third day still 562 behind, with the prospect of second division cricket next year an increasing probability.

Following centuries for Murray Goodwin and Richard Montgomerie on the opening day, Prior hit two sixes and 12 fours in making an unbeaten 102 off 105 balls.

He shared a stand of 120 for the sixth wicket with Robin Martin-Jenkins (64) after Montgomerie had fallen four runs short of a double century earlier in the day.

Hampshire made a positive reply following Chris Adams' declaration but lost opener Neil Johsnon for 51 before rain ended play early.

The visitors began the day hoping to stem the flow of runs after conceding 399 on the opening day.

But it was a forlorn hope as the home batsmen continued to make the most of a benign surface.

Tim Ambrose was dismissed by Dimitri Mascarenhas for 32 and Montgomerie followed for 196 with the scorer on 460, when he was caught behind off left-armer James Tomlinson.

Prior and Martin-Jenkins were soon into their stride, however, and it was a case of when Sussex skipper Adams would decide enough was enough.

Martin-Jenkins eventually fell to Will Kendall's occasional medium pace but Prior went on to reach three figures in just over two hours at the crease before a halt was called.

Sussex's bowlers did not find the pitch any more helpful with James Kirtley conceding 22 from his opening five-over burst as Johnson went along at a rate of a run per ball.

Martin-Jenkins was more accurate and he was rewarded just before the weather closed in when Prior made no mistake behind the stumps to end Johnson's innings, leaving Jason Laney unbeaten on 14.

Sussex: R R Montgomerie, M W Goodwin, P A Cottey, C J Adams (Capt), T R Ambrose, R S C Martin-Jenkins, M J Prior (Wkt), K J Innes, M J G Davis, R J Kirtley, B V Taylor.

Hampshire: J S Laney, N C Johnson, J H K Adams, R A Smith (Capt), J D Francis, W S Kendall, N Pothas (Wkt), A D Mascarenhas, S D Udal, A D Mullally, J A Tomlinson.

Umpires: V A Holder and B Leadbeater