Sean Hunt savoured a career-best 65 as he helped Sussex close in on a home win.

The county need five more wickets on day four at Hove today to secure the honours against Leicestershire in Vitality County Championship division two.

Seam bowler Hunt, who averaged just six with the bat, went in as nightwatchman late on Monday and opened up in the first session yesterday.

He said: “I just wanted to face as many balls as possible and to play my own way and enjoy it.

“We didn’t have to take any risks with the fields they set and Tom Haines said I should back myself and it came off when I started playing my shots.

“Everyone says I should average more than six and that I’ve got more runs in me so it was nice to get some.

“We have a very close dressing room and we want each other to succeed and win games together.

“We know what we need to do and if Jack (Carson) bowls like he did again, victory should come our way.

“But the job isn’t finished and we need to be ruthless.”

Leicestershire were 139-5 overnight, still needing 325 in their pursuit of a target of 464.

Spinner Carson has so far taken 3-38 in the innings.

Leicestershire skipper Lewis Hill said: “We have got some good batting to come so you never know, we’re going to throw a few punches.

“Credit to Jack Carson, he bowled nicely and held an end for them but we’re going to take the positive option and give it a good crack. We’re never going to give up hope.”