Sussex secure promotion - Warwickshire have to wait

Sussex clinched promotion from the Second Division Championship by going six points clear of Hampshire at the top with a draw at Edgbaston.

The top two will dispute the title in the last round of matches this week - Sussex in a home game against third-placed Gloucestershire at Hove and Hampshire in a meeting with lowly Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

But Warwickshire are still in contention for the third spot after salvaging four points with a rearguard action against the leaders.

Set a target of 450 but more realistically a survival course of 84 overs, they comfortably reached 240 for 3.

They now travel to Derbyshire on Wednesday, needing four more points than Gloucestershire can muster against Sussex, but also wary of the other outside contenders, Middlesex, who take on Worcestershire at New Road.

Their batsmen passed a testing examination when Sussex finally declared at 376 for 5 after 40 minutes on the final morning. Chris Adams went for 139 and Tim Ambrose made 52 - a maiden half-century on his debut.

Warwickshire were well on the way to safety with an opening stand of 90. Michael Powell struggled into some sort of form until caught at slip for 27, but Nick Knight was more commanding with 59 until playing on for Mark Robinson's second success.

Sussex's challenge then receded as Mark Wagh made an unbeaten 74 in his first Championship match since scoring a triple century against Middlesex.

David Hemp assisted with 45 until sweeping Mark Davis to deep square leg and Ian Bell escorted Wagh to an early closure at 5pm.