Sussex's in-form top order was blown away by the Gloucestershire seam attack. They had been put in on the opening day of the crucial Championship match at Hove today.

Depending on the outcome of second-placed Hampshire's match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, Sussex may need to win their final game of the season to be sure of going up to Division One as champions. But that prospect looked a long way off as the injury-hit visitors reduced Sussex to 70-5 at lunch. Murray Goodwin was first to go when he was caught at square leg clipping Alistair Bressington uppishly off his toes.

Eight runs had been added to take the score to 24 when Richard Montgomerie was caught at slip off James Averis edging a ball which bounced unexpectedly off a length.

There was certainly some evidence of uneven bounce although it was a mis-judgement of line which undid Bas Zuiderent in the 16th over when he had his off bail dislodged as he played an immaculate looking forward defensive shot.

It gave Roger Sillence his first wicket on his Championship debut and the Gloucestershire seamer was celebrating again four overs later. Chris Adams pushed forward but the ball climbed on him and seemed to take the shoulder of the bat as it flew through to the wicketkeeper.

Michael Yardy and Tim Ambrose repaired some of the damage in a fifth wicket stand of 36 in 12 overs. But in the last over before lunch Ambrose drove ambitiously at Bressington and Richard Williams, deputising for the injured Jack Russell, took a good low catch.

Notts were 124-4 at lunch in their match against Hampshire.