Chris Nash and Ed Joyce lead Sussex fightback against Lancashire at the County Ground
Sussex (290 & 147-0) trail Lancashire by 153 runs
By Kate Laven, County Ground 7:38PM BST 28 Apr 2011
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Until the final session on Thursday, Lancashire looked like they were heading for their third consecutive championship victory but despite spending three long days in the doldrums, Sussex refused to roll over.
Bloodied and ravaged when they were forced to follow on still 300 runs behind, openers Chris Nash and Ed Joyce pushed back their shoulders and got on with their attempt to salvage a draw.
By the close, they had closed the gap to 153 runs. Thinking about a draw remains ambitious but their endeavours certainly lifted the gloom with the captain Joyce leading from the front on 63 and Nash matching his stoicism with 57.
The start of the day had not been pretty. Resuming on 97-4 and needing a long show of resistance, Sussex took just three overs to surrender their nightwatchman Amjad Khan but all the time Murray Goodwin was at the crease, the clouds seemed fluffy rather than dank and dark.
He was at the crease for more than 23 overs with Luke Wright and together they put on 81 but Wright's departure shortly before lunch, caught at slip off Glen Chapple, came as another untimely nail in the coffin.
Goodwin reached the century, his 45th for Sussex and the 64th of his career, in 196 balls with nine fours but inevitably there was no real celebration. He added 90 with Andrew Hodd but in a swirl of dust and determination, drove Chapple hard to cover where he was caught by Mark Chilton for 113.
It was a fine innings that spared Sussex's blushes but there was little more to come apart from wickets for Chapple and spinner Gary Keedy who made best use of the rough patches. Both finished with four wickets a piece as Sussex were dismissed for 290 and neither were unable to add to their hauls when Sussex set off again for another 38 overs to the close.
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