Mighty Murray Goodwin's seventh hundred of the season was hailed as his best yet by Sussex coach Peter Moores.

The Zimbabwean took his aggregate for the season to 1,642 runs after making 150 in the crucial Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbastson yesterday.

Goodwin was dismissed with four overs of the first day left as Sussex reached 315-8 at the close.

The three batting bonus points they have collected means the county need just six more points to reach 189 and make sure of promotion to Division One.

Moores said: "In the context of the match situation it was a brilliant innings, the best I think Murray has played for us this year.

"He is used to playing in pressure situations through his Test career and he showed that yesterday.

"You can't beat playing well when it matters most and in this situation, with every point valuable, it really mattered."

Goodwin gave one chance when he was dropped in the gully on 61. It was his sixth Championship century and fifth away from Hove.

"What I liked most about it was the way he set it up. He built his innings in his first 50 runs and then allowed himself to open up a bit," added Moores.

"It takes huge responsibility to play like he did, to say to yourself that you're going to try and bat through and help your side so much, it really was an outstanding performance."

Goodwin shared in three half-century stands, the most productive a fourth wicket partnership of 71 with Tim Ambrose who was given his first-class debut after some impressive one-day performances in the past fortnight.

"I thought Tim did really well," said Moores. "He was relaxed and looked to play positively. What I like about Tim in the games he has played for us is that he hasn't looked fazed at all. He's only 18, but he's definitely got an old head on young shoulders and looks mentally very tough which is another good sign."

Warwickshire seamer Alan Richardson took five wickets and there is enough in the pitch to encourage the Sussex attack.

"It's by no means a belting wicket," added Moores. "There was quite a bit of variable bounce and that can tend to get worse as the match continues.

"We have played positive cricket all season and we're definitely here to win the game."