Nash refuses to give up the fight

Charl Willougby is bowled by Piyush Chawla, who claimed 6-52, as Somerset are skittled for a meagre 178 at Hove

Chris Nash's century kept alive Sussex's faint hopes of victory over Somerset in the LV= County Championship Division One clash at Hove.

The hosts were set 349 to win at Hove after bowling the visitors out for 178.

Indian spinner Piyush Chawla, who claimed five wickets in the first innings, did the damage once more en route to superb figures of 6-52.

Mike Yardy and Murray Goodwin fell early for Sussex , while England wicketkeeper Matt Prior could muster only 11, but Nash was unbeaten on 111 at stumps with Sussex 169 for four.

Ian Bell struck 79 but Warwickshire look sure to concede a first-innings deficit to champions Durham in their rain-affected match at Edgbaston.

Replying to 433, the home side progressed from 168 for three to 264 for nine, with Bell's knock the highlight.

Former England paceman Steve Harmison outshone new Test star Graham Onions with the ball, taking 5-39.

Honours are even at New Road in another weather-hit match between Worcestershire and Yorkshire.

Responding to the hosts’ 415, Yorkshire were 413 for eight at the close of day three after Michael Vaughan made 43.

Andrew Gale and Tim Bresnan, who made 101 and 97 respectively, fared considerably better.

Chris Tremlett marked his return to the Hampshire side after injury with 4-49 to help bowl Lancashire out for just 208 on the second day at Aigburth.

Andrew Flintoff strives in vain for a wicket as he continues his comeback from injury for Lancashire at Aigburth

The visitors were 124 for four at the close, with Flintoff, who earlier made just 12, yet to claim a wicket in his second game since knee surgery.

In Division Two, Kent responded well after being set a near impossible victory target of 478 by Essex at Tunbridge Wells.

Essex declared their second innings on 320 for six, Mark Pettini hitting an unbeaten 101, with Varun Chopra (63) and Graham Napier (48 not out) offering good support.

Kent reached 107 for one by the end of day three, with Joe Denly unbeaten on 74 after Rob Key fell for 21.

Middlesex suffered a nightmare first day in their clash with Gloucestershire as they were bowled out for just 153.

England captain Andrew Strauss top-scored with 32 while Jon Lewis took 3-34.

Will Porterfield led the Gloucestershire reply with 53 as they reached 144 for three by the close.

Bottom side Leicestershire fought back well at Grace Road as Surrey lost their remaining eight wickets for only 112 runs in a first-innings total of 329 - a lead of 164.

The hosts began their second innings well and reached 181 for two, with Boeta Dippenaar and HD Ackerman both unbeaten on 50.

Northamptonshire declared their first innings on 215 for eight - a deficit of 93 - but it looks unlikely they will force a result against Glamorgan with a day remaining at the SWALEC Stadium.

Alex Wakely hit a heroic unbeaten 113 and Andrew Hall provided solid support with 44, before Glamorgan progressed to 59 for one in their second innings.