Darren Bicknell carried his bat through the first day to frustrate Sussex in their crucial Championship tussle at Trent Bridge yesterday.

His first century for Nottinghamshire held together an innings that had looked in serious danger of collapsing in the face of profitable spells from Jason Lewry and James Kirtley.

But Sussex will look back on some sloppy fielding, with Bicknell's reprieve at the hands of Tony Cottey being one of four catches put down close to the wicket.

The giant left-hander survived 308 balls from the Sussex attack and hit 20 fours and a six to finish unbeaten on 139 at the close.

He left the field having accomplished a seemingly impossible rescue mission of guiding Nottinghamshire through to 336-8.

Bicknell was backed superbly in the afternoon session by Australian Paul Reiffel, who with his team deep in trouble at 163 for seven, produced a session-best 74 out of a partnership of 143 for the eighth wicket.

The big stand came at just the wrong time for Sussex, who had reduced their hosts from 100-2 at lunch to 163-7.

It could have been a lot better had Sussex not produced fielding throughout the day more suited to a village green than a famous Test arena.

Their worst moment came when Cottey at gulley spilled a simple chance given by Bicknell off Robin Martin-Jenkins.

The batsman was so convinced he was out, he was almost run out as he halted his trudge back to the pavilion.

The same bowler was unfortunate in his next over when Usman Afzaal edged another fine delivery but turned to see wicketkeeper Nick Wilton spill a simple chance.

The county came back well in the afternoon by first removing Afzaal to a freak catch at short leg by Richard Montgomerie.

The batsman clipped Kirtley off his legs only to see the ball ricochet from Montgomerie's wrist then drop back into his hands.

John Morris hit a brisk 18 but then he, Paul Johnson and Chris Read were out in consecutive overs.