Warwickshire's Neil Carter smashed the fastest Championship century this season but Sussex were still on top at Hove.

Carter, who had only once scored over 50 in a first-class game, reached his ton in just 67 balls and shared in a last-wicket stand of 119 with Jamie Spires.

The number nine just missed out on the quickest first-class ton of the season - 66 balls by Kent's Matthew Fleming against Sri Lanka - and his 103 helped Warwickshire make 293.

But Murray Goodwin then hit 111 to help Sussex reach 166 for four - 225 ahead - and Warwickshire face a tough task to secure the win which would claim runners-up spot.

Carter came to the crease with Warwickshire struggling on 143 for seven and needing another 60 runs just to avoid the follow-on.

His first show of hostility was to march down the track and hoist Mark Davis over deep extra cover for his first six, and the same bowler was again punished with a sweep over deep square-leg.

Mockery

The left-hander began to make a mockery of his average of just over 15 as Warwickshire moved past the follow-on target.

Paul Hutchison was brought back into the attack, only to see his first two balls fly to the rope, and Carter completed his century - which included nine fours and six sixes - after just an hour and a quarter at the crease.

Billy Taylor was the pick of the bowlers, claiming a five-wicket haul including the dismissal of Tony Frost, who had earlier held the innings together in making 73.

Goodwin's innings threatened to be almost as destructive as he helped Sussex get off to a flyer in their second innings.

He took just 55 balls to reach his half-century and put on 128 in 29.1 overs with Richard Montgomerie until the latter was caught by 'keeper Keith Piper off Sheikh.

An off-drive for two to deep mid-off saw Zimbabwean Goodwin holding his bat aloft.

He was unable to see it through to close though, and his edge to Dominic Ostler at first slip off Wagh on the last ball of the day could yet prove vital.

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

Warwickshire: M J Powell (Capt), M A Wagh, I R Bell, D P Ostler, T Frost, D R Brown, J A S Spires, K J Piper (Wkt), N M Carter, M A Sheikh, A Richardson.