Kevin Innes struck a battling unbeaten 41 to help inch Sussex past Surrey's first innings total of 193 at Hove today.

Innes, resuming on six with Sussex 139-7, resisted stoutly with last man Billy Taylor after Alex Tudor had picked up two more early wickets.

Innes and Mark Davis had extended their eighth wicket stand to 46 when Tudor struck to remove Davis for 30.

Davis was snapped up at first slip by Alistair Brown playing back and James Kirtley also fell to the England man having scored only eight.

Skipper Adam Hollioake, at second slip, dived to his right to signal the entry of last man Taylor with Sussex 22 behind.

Innes took command of the situation to take Sussex towards their opponents' score as Pakistan test spinner Mushtaq Ahmed was introduced.

Right-arm fast-medium bowler Tim Murtagh later replaced Tudor at the Sea End and Innes collected a single before Taylor survived the remainder of the over.

Innes then brought the scores level with a single off Mushtaq, after which Taylor edged the spinner for two wide of slip.

Sussex were ten ahead when Murtagh ended the innings by having Taylor caught at the wicket for five.