It was no surprise that a spinner kept Sussex in the hunt for another Championship success at Arundel yesterday.

Instead of a Mushtaq Ahmed masterclass though, another good crowd were treated to Mark Davis producing his best performance since his 6-83 helped usher Surrey to defeat 11 months ago.

The South African off-spinner had a generous area of rough created by the left-armer's follow through to aim at.

It was, however, his crafty variations of flight which proved just as effective as he emerged from Mushtaq's shadow to ensure a match of fluctuating fortunes remained nicely poised going into the final day.

Davis removed Paul Grayson, Andy Flower and Ronnie Irani on his way to 3-44 from 19 overs, his best figures since he railroaded the eventual champions last August. Essex closed on 254-6, a lead of 235.

Sussex director of cricket Peter Moores was upbeat about the state of affairs. He said: "We bowled pretty well without getting a lot of luck until after tea.

"It was nice to see Mark Davis play a leading role. He created pressure all the time."

Even Mushtaq must have been impressed by his fellow spinner's efforts.

Mushtaq wheeled away from the Castle End in two long spells but much of his venom was negated by a pitch which has got even slower after being slow-baked by a hot sun for three days.

As usual, there was no shortage of frenzied appeals from the little man.

Perhaps his most telling contribution of the third day though was the diving catch he took running in from long leg to dismiss England captain Nasser Hussain.

Hussain and Grayson survived a testing opening spell from James Kirtley to put on 49 after Sussex's last two wickets had put on 79 in the first 75 minutes to give their side a lead of 19 and, more importantly in the context of their Championship challenge, an unexpected fourth batting point.

Hussain was particularly savage when Jason Lewry dropped short, pulling him for two memorable fours in an over.

So it was a surprise when he was fractionally late trying to repeat the dose and Mushtaq, haring in from long leg as if his life depended on it, completed a sprawling catch.

Sussex got an unexpected bonus in the next over when Lewry brilliantly ran out James Foster with a direct hit from extra cover after he had been sent back by Grayson.

Perhaps by way of atonement, Grayson and Andy Flower wrested back the initiative in the next 23 overs with a stand of 90 for the third wicket.

Enter Davis. In his third over from the Park End he turned one out of the rough to defeat Grayson's airy drive after the Essex opener had stroked 11 boundaries in making his highest Championship score of the season.

Either side of tea Flower hit nine fours in his 54 before offering no shot to Davis's arm ball and in the next over extra turn and bounce defeated Ronnie Irani who edged to slip.

By then Davis was wheeling away for 30 yards into the off side by way of celebration.

Essex were 174 ahead at that stage but if Sussex sensed a quick kill they were thwarted by Aftab Habib, whose wristy strokeplay against the spinners made for some enthralling cricket.

He reached a deserved half-century before Lewry had him caught behind gloving a lifter in his second over back from the Park End.

It was a crucial breakthrough for Sussex and if they can polish off the innings quickly today there is no doubt they will fancy their chances of chasing down a target of around 300.

Bruce Talbot bruce.talbot @theargus.co.uk