Sutton century rescues Derbyshire

Sussex pace duo Jason Lewry and James Kirtley claimed their 50th first-class wickets of the season but the Division Two leaders were frustrated by a battling century from Luke Sutton.

The opener reached the second hundred of his career in eight minutes short of five hours and made Sussex pay for missing him when he had scored only three.

Kirtley was the unlucky bowler when Sutton edged hard to gully where Murray Goodwin put down the chance and the right-hander made the most of that escape although Sussex thought they had him caught behind on 65.

Robin Martin-Jenkins and the close fielders were convinced he had got an edge but umpire Ray Julien turned down their appeals and Sutton went on to his second hundred in four matches.

Without his contribution, Derbyshire would have been in serious trouble. Apart from Karl Krikken who made 32, the rest of the batting failed and there was every chance the home side could have been in danger of following on if Goodwin had not missed that chance.

After Sussex were bowled out for 280 following a delayed start because of rain, Lewry bowled Stubbings with the fourth ball of the Derbyshire reply and Kirtley had Rob Bailey caught behind for eight with the total on 19.

Lewry had Chris Bassano caught behind for 18 and Mathew Dowman made only 10 before he edged a drive at Mark Robinson to first slip.

Krikken dug in with Sutton to share a stand of 59 in 25 overs until Lewry had Krikken well caught at second slip and although Graeme Welch was out shortly before the close, Derbyshire ended the day on 198-6, 82 runs behind.