Michael Yardy looked on course for his maiden Championship hundred in the final match of the season against Surrey.

The left-hander, who was only playing after Ian Ward pulled out because of illness, will resume on 69 not out.

Surrey slumped to 16-4 after winning the toss but they were revived by Rikki Clarke's superb 112 before being bowled out for 283.

A good crowd would have struggled to remember a better innings at Hove this season as Clarke stroked 18 boundaries and three sixes, two of them off Mushtaq Ahmed who has rarely been treated with so little respect.

Clarke's ability has never been in doubt, but questions have been asked about his mental frailty. A few of those were answered when he walked to the crease with his side in the cart after James Kirtley and Jason Lewry had exploited ideal bowling conditions to reduce Surrey to 60-5.

Kirtley took 3-44 in his new ball spell and Lewry 2-13 before Ali Brown (54) and Clarke went for their shots as conditions eased.

They added 82 in 13 overs for the sixth wicket and after lunch Martin Bicknell put on 86 with Clarke in 15 before Mushtaq ended Clarke's fun as he came down the pitch trying to deposit the leg-spinner over the hospitality tents for a third time.

Mark Davis's exemplary control brought the off-spinner 3-26 and there was no let-up in the entertainment when Sussex began their reply after tea.

Richard Montgomerie fell to Bicknell but only after completing 1,000 first-class runs for the season, but Yardy prospered on a day which saw 409 runs and 13 wickets.