Murray Goodwin and Tim Ambrose both made unbeaten centuries to give Sussex's confidence a much needed lift at Hove yesterday.

The pair answered coach Peter Moores' plea for partnerships from his batsmen by putting on 204 - the county's highest stand for any wicket this season - to improve their hopes of saving the Championship game against Kent.

Goodwin will resume today on 108 while Ambrose returns unbeaten on 101 after reaching his maiden hundred at headquarters.

Sussex closed on 256-3, a lead of 52, after Goodwin and Ambrose batted through the day's ration of 52 overs. Overnight rain had delayed the start until 1.45pm and they came off again at 5.15pm.

Perhaps a return to Hove was all that Goodwin needed to recapture his amazing form of last season when he reeled off seven centuries and averaged 61. His only other hundred this season was made in the opening home game against Somerset.

That day he blazed a brilliant 162. Circumstances demanded a much more disciplined approach this time, but Goodwin responded. He reached his century shortly after tea, having faced 225 balls and hit eight fours.

Perhaps last night he raised a toast to Kent physio Martyn Sigley as well. Sigley, who has played first class cricket in New Zealand, dropped him at cover fielding as a substitute on Thursday when he had made 29. It looks as if that might be the turning point in his season.

Goodwin was probably as pleased as his partner when Ambrose followed him to three figures 20 minutes later, although it didn't appear as if too many of the Kent players shared their pleasure.

They were convinced Ambrose had been caught at bat-pad off Andrew Symonds on 92 and the applause which followed after he had drilled Min Patel through the covers to reach his century came almost entirely from beyond the boundary rope.

Ambrose played with a bit more freedom and the front foot drive off Martin Saggers which sped to theboundary was as good a shot seen at Hove all season. His hundred came off 214 balls and included 12 fours and was the second of his career, not bad for a 19-year-old who has only played eight first-class games.

Kent tried everything to dislodge the pair but found no success. Scoring runs is not easy though and the remaining Sussex batsmen will need to match the application shown by their fourth wicket pair if they are to stave off defeat.

SKIPPER Chris Adams is a doubt for tomorrow's National League game against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Hove (1pm).

Adams is still feeling some discomfort from the knee injury he suffered two months ago which subsequently needed surgery.

He said: "I'm in almost constant pain at the moment."

Kevin Innes (groin) is also a doubt so Michael Yardy and Mark Robinson have been added to the squad. Sussex have lost five of their seven Division Two games so far and are bottom of the table.

Sussex Sharks (from): Montgomerie, House, Adams, Goodwin, Ambrose, Martin-Jenkins, Yardy, Prior, Davis, Taylor, Lewry, Robinson