Akhil Patel marked his LV= County Championship debut with a second innings 37 as Notts recovered from 107-6 to retain the initiative against Sussex.

Patel hit seven fours in partnerships with Alex Hales (38) and Chris Read who will begin the final day unbeaten on 64 alongside Mark Ealham.

Ealham, who was greeted by a Sussex guard of honour as he took to the crease for the final Championship innings of a distinguished career, reached 23 at the close

Samit Patel’s 54 was useful but ended in disappointing fashion with a hook gratefully caught by Robert Martin-Jenkins.

Having began the day on 4-1 following Shafayat’s dismissal, nightwatchman Luke Fletcher soon followed and Mark Wagh (2) and Ali Brown (1) both went lbw to put Notts in a precarious position at 107-6.

Notts left the field for bad light just after 4pm and having recovered to 236-7 with a lead of 335 runs but will be in no rush to declare knowing that a draw will secure second place.