Sussex are on the brink of promotion after centuries from skipper Chris Adams and Richard Montgomerie ground Warwickshire into the dust at Edgbaston yesterday.

Montgomerie made 121 and Adams an unbeaten 132 as Sussex ended the third day on 324-3, a lead of 397.

The four points from a draw would be enough to secure a place in the first division, but coach Peter Moores says they will be striving for victory today which would leave them needing just six points from their final game against Gloucestershire on Wednesday to guarantee the title.

Moores said: "We've got in this position by playing positive cricket all season and seizing the chance to win games when the opportunity has been there.

"We were exactly the same yesterday. Monty and Chris were never reckless, just very positive. The running between the wickets was excellent and in the end we have deflated the opposition."

The pair's stand of 199 equalled the highest third wicket partnership by Sussex in matches in Warwickshire.

Moores added: "Like Murray Goodwin in the first innings they have done it when it's mattered most. It's nice to have them on the back foot for once because they have had the upper hand against us in recent years."

Sussex are likely to extend their second innings this morning before trying to bowl out Warwickshire for a second time.

"I didn't think as a unit we bowled as well as we could on Saturday even though we bowled them out," added Moores.