Di Venuto gives Durham the edge

Andrew Hodd made the most of Matt Prior's absence by notching the third first-class hundred of his career

Sussex wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd scored the third first-class hundred of his career but LV= County Championship Division One champions Durham have the best chance of forcing victory with a day remaining at Hove.

Hodd's 101 underpinned a strong recovery by Sussex's lower order which restricted their first innings deficit to 17 after they were bowled out for 363.

But former Sussex opener Michael Di Venuto and Gordon Muchall put together an undefeated third-wicket stand of 97 which took Durham to 164 for two at the close, a lead of 181.

Hodd had resumed on 84 after morning rain delayed the start until 12.20pm and showed few signs of nerves when he moved into the 90s with boundaries off Liam Plunkett and Mitchell Claydon.

He lost seventh-wicket partner Robin Martin-Jenkins with the score on 282 when the all-rounder was caught behind pushing forward to Claydon, but a single off Steve Harmison took Hodd to his century from 158 balls with 12 fours.

Hodd faced just three more deliveries, however, before Plunkett pinned him on the back leg and when Ollie Rayner gloved Harmison's lifter to wicketkeeper Phil Mustard the hosts still needed 18 runs to claim their fourth batting point.

But Damien Wright took the attack back to the Durham seamers despite suffering from a side strain as he belted five fours and a six off Plunkett in a run-a-ball 41 not out.

Last-wicket partner Corey Collymore was felled by a bouncer from Harmison but gave good support in a stand 29 which Claydon ended after lunch when he had the West Indian leg before with an inswinger.

Wright is being replaced as Sussex's overseas player by Pakistan's Yasir Arafat this weekend, and his injury meant he was unable to bowl when Durham began their second innings.

Sussex skipper Mike Yardy turned to off-spinner Rayner after just 10 overs and he struck in his fourth over when he turned one past Mark Stoneman's defences and Hodd took a neat catch off a thin edge.

Durham skipper Will Smith was run out by the length of the pitch after charging back for a second run while Di Venuto stood motionless in his crease, but a slow pitch made for comfortable batting and by the close Di Venuto was closing in on a first hundred against the county he played for in 1999.

He will resume on 75 not out, made off 175 deliveries with eight fours, while Muchall got his head down to score his third half-century in as many games and is 51 not out from 88 balls with six fours.

Umpire Nigel Cowley, who had been suffering from flu since the start of the match, was replaced by Roger Croft, a Surrey League umpire who was watching the game from the pavilion, just before tea although Cowley hopes to stand when the game resumes tomorrow.