Chris Adams saluted a superb Sussex win over Championship leaders Surrey and declared: "We expected to win."

Murray Goodwin scored his third hundred of the season and Adams made a vital 62 as Sussex reached their target of 287 with four wickets in hand.

Sussex's third victory of the season keeps them in third place in Division One and another win from their four remaining games, three of which are at Hove, should be enough to keep them in the top flight.

Adams said: "The odds were stacked against us, but you play the game for days like these. I've never been on a winning side against Surrey in 15 years and a lot of the other guys have never beaten them either so it is a fantastic feeling.

"The mood among the boys this morning was fantastic, it was the first time I can remember this Sussex side expecting to win. But we knew it would only be achieved by seeing off the onslaught from their bowlers."

Sussex scored just 60 runs in the morning session before Adams led a counter-attack after lunch when he put on a match-winning 106 in 30 overs with Goodwin who made his tenth century for the county.

"The spell Mushtaq Ahmed and Alex Tudor bowled before lunch was Test class, but I haven't enjoyed batting as much for a long time," added Adams. "Every ball asked questions, but it was brilliant being out there."